Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Wednesday that the start of Israel's withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon marks the beginning of a broader effort to restore Lebanese sovereignty and facilitate the safe return of displaced residents, pledging to pursue a full Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.

Salam made the remarks during a visit to the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, where he was accompanied by Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Lebanese Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Hassan Awdeh, Secretary-General of the Higher Defense Council Maj. Gen. Mohammad Al-Mustafa, Chairman of the Council for Development and Reconstruction Mohammad Qabbani, President of the Council for the South Hashem Haydar, and Director of the Central Operations Room at the Prime Minister's Office Zahi Chahine.

Addressing the Lebanese people, particularly residents of southern Lebanon, Salam described the moment as a significant political and national milestone.

"Today marks a national moment of profound political and symbolic importance because it represents the beginning of Israel's withdrawal from our land," he said. "From day one, our objective has been clear: a complete Israeli withdrawal from every part of Lebanese territory. What we are seeing today is only the first step, but we remain resolute. We will continue to marshal every political and diplomatic effort until Israel has fully withdrawn from all Lebanese land."

Salam also sought to reassure residents preparing to return to their homes in the South, saying the government had begun mobilizing state resources to support their return.

"To our people in southern Lebanon, I want to say this: we are here to ensure that the full capabilities of the state are being deployed to facilitate your return," he said. "The Lebanese Army and the security forces are on the ground to protect returning residents. As the Army completes its deployment, we will continue reopening roads, clearing rubble, and restoring essential services so that our people can return safely and with dignity to their homes and villages."

The prime minister said the government had also launched preparations to restore basic infrastructure and provide temporary housing for families affected by the conflict.

"We have already begun restoring essential services, including water, electricity, and telecommunications," Salam said. "We are also working to provide prefabricated housing and everything necessary to support the transitional phase. Reviving life in southern Lebanon is not simply a slogan—it is a national commitment. The return of our people to their land is the clearest expression of Lebanon's unity and sovereignty."

Salam's visit to Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh coincided with the beginning of Israel's withdrawal from the first pilot zone under the U.S.-brokered framework agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel. Under the arrangement, Israeli forces are to pull back from designated areas before the Lebanese Army deploys, allowing displaced residents to return while the government begins restoring basic services and rebuilding damaged infrastructure.

من زيارة رئيس الحكومة نواف سلام إلى بلدة زوطر الغربية pic.twitter.com/6wg3VHHfv0

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