Lebanon demands full Israeli withdrawal

Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Nations, Nawaf Salam, has told The Washington Post that Lebanon cannot sign any agreement that does not include a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. He explicitly rejected the concept of a buffer zone or any Israeli military presence that would prevent displaced Lebanese citizens from returning home or hinder reconstruction efforts in the south. This statement directly contradicts Israel's public demand, made by its ambassador to the U.S., that Lebanon accept a continued IDF presence on its soil. The comments highlight a major obstacle to a lasting settlement, even as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire remains in effect.