Beirut: Lebanon has dismantled more than 500 weapons depots across the country's south as part of efforts to strengthen state authority, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday. Speaking at an investment conference in Beirut, Salam emphasized his government's commitment to extending state control over all Lebanese territory, including key entry and exit points, particularly Beirut's airport.
According to Anadolu Agency, Salam stated the government is actively working through diplomatic channels to pressure Israel to cease its attacks on Lebanese territory and withdraw from the five remaining points it still controls in the south. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached last November between Israel and Lebanon, Israel has conducted nearly daily attacks in southern Lebanon, citing Hezbollah's activities as the target.
The truce, which ended months of cross-border warfare that escalated into a full-scale conflict in September, has seen Lebanese authorities report nearly 3,000 Israeli violations. These incidents have resulted in the deaths of over 200 people and injuries to more than 500 since last November. Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, but the deadline was extended to February 18 after Israel refused to comply, maintaining a military presence at five border outposts.