Two days after the government won the confidence of Parliament, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam embarked on an inspection tour of southern Lebanon. Accompanied by Minister of Environment Tamara el-Zein, Salam flew in by helicopter on Friday morning. He will visit the Lebanese army barracks in Tyre and Marjayoun before heading for Khiam and Nabatiyeh.
After a first stop at the Benoit Barakat barracks in Tyre, where he was received by the acting commander-in-chief of the army, General Hassan Audi, and the commander of the South Litani sector, General Edgard Lawandos, the Prime Minister addressed the residents who had gathered there. Waving Lebanese flags, the crowd called for exerting pressure on Israel to withdraw from their destroyed villages.
“The Lebanese army is fully carrying out its mission in the south and is deploying in all localities, in order to guarantee security and stability there,” Salam said, adding, “The government will work to empower the Lebanese army by increasing its manpower, equipment and training in order to strengthen its ability to defend Lebanon.”
Salam saluted the work of the “heroes of the national army” who symbolize “honor, sacrifice and loyalty” and who are “the pillars of sovereignty and independence.” He stressed that the Lebanese armed forces are the ones “responsible for defending the country, maintaining security, protecting the people and preserving Lebanon's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.”
He expressed his “gratitude” to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), denouncing attacks against its personnel, many of whom “have sacrificed their lives in the performance of their duties.” Salam also stressed that efforts are underway to bring to justice those responsible for the recent attack on peacekeepers, in reference to the assault by pro-Hezbollah protesters on the airport road in which several peacekeepers were injured and their car was set ablaze.
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