Ready to increase the number of members in your army Lebanon in the south of the country is Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in the event of a ceasefire with Israel, highlighting that the Israeli army is launching short-term incursions in this border region, a stronghold of Hezbollah.
In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Mikati spoke of “serious efforts” by the international community to impose a ceasefire, following the open war between Israel and Hezbollah that began with the Israeli invasion of Lebanon more than three weeks ago.
In another interview with Al Jazeera, the prime minister said he “received some kind of assurance” from the US government that Israel would de-escalate Israeli attacks in Beirut and the city’s suburbs.
Jewish media broadcast in recent days that US pressure has led Israel to reduce attacks on Hezbollah targets in the capital of Lebanon. These reports were denied by Israeli officials who emphasized that Israel has the freedom to operate as it sees fit.
Lebanon ready to impose its sovereignty
“The Lebanese state is ready impose its rule over the entire territory of Lebanon” in accordance with international resolutions, including 1701 which stipulates that only the army and workers will be deployed to southern Lebanon, he said.
“Right now we have 4,500 troops in the south and we want to increase them to 7,000 to 11,000,” Mikati said.
Although the Israeli military stressed that it has been carrying out ground incursions into Lebanon since September 30, the prime minister said that “there are advances and retreats (of Israeli soldiers) entering and leaving” Lebanese territory.
Mikati also announced that the government has stepped up security measures at Beirut International Airport to “remove any pretext” for Israel to attack it.
In late September, the Israeli military accused Iran of trying to send weapons to its ally Hezbollah through Beirut airport and warned that it would thwart such attempts.
In early October, Lebanese Transport Minister Ali Hamieh denied to AFP Israeli accusations of sending weapons to Hezbollah through the Lebanese airport and border crossings.
Sources: AMPE, AFP, Reuters