Lebanese Prime Minister Tamam Salam has declared that Lebanon will not sign any agreement that does not include the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. He made the statement in an interview ahead of scheduled talks in Washington on Thursday. The remarks followed his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where he reiterated Lebanon’s firm stance against any proposal allowing Israeli presence in buffer zones that would prevent displaced Lebanese from returning or rebuilding destroyed areas.

Salam emphasized that Lebanon is entering the discussions with the belief that the United States is the only actor capable of exerting real influence over Israel. He credited Washington’s role in achieving a ceasefire and urged continued U.S. pressure on Israel. Addressing Western demands for Hezbollah’s disarmament, he described it as a long-term process that cannot happen overnight.

The prime minister underscored that Lebanon’s participation in talks should not be interpreted as a sign of flexibility, stating that while the outcomes remain uncertain, Lebanon’s objectives are clear.