Salam: No International Vacuum Allowed in South After UNIFIL Mission Ends

Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam received United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, attended by Minister of Social Affairs Haneen El-Sayed, Minister of Education and Higher Education Reema Karami, and Minister of Public Health Rakan Nasser Al-Din.

During the meeting, discussions focused on ways to strengthen cooperation between Lebanon and the United Nations in the field of mental health and psychosocial support, particularly supporting the National Mental Health Program at the Ministry of Public Health, developing psychosocial support programs implemented by the Ministry of Social Affairs, and expanding awareness programs on mental health in schools.

The meeting also addressed arrangements for the post-UNIFIL phase, where President Salam reaffirmed the necessity of avoiding any international vacuum in the south, stressing Lebanon's need for continued international presence under a Security Council mandate to help maintain stability and support the implementation of Resolution 1701.

President Salam affirmed Lebanon's openness to consulting with member states of the Security Council and the United Nations to reach a new decision ensuring the continuation of the international role in the south, while emphasizing respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the obligation of complete Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories up to the recognized international borders, the cessation of Israeli aggressions, and the extension of Lebanese state authority over its entire territory through its own forces.