By DPA | Posted by TOE

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Tuesday called for the complete and unconditional withdrawal of all Israeli troops from southern Lebanon in a recorded speech broadcast on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television channel.

A resolution to the current conflict in Lebanon demanded Israel’s total withdrawal, without Hezbollah having to provide anything in return, Qassem said. He added that Hezbollah had nothing to give.

The Hezbollah secretary-general said he was open to domestic Lebanese reforms, for example on arms control or economic policy, but he rejected interference by the United States or other countries.

Israel is demanding the disarmament of Hezbollah before withdrawing, in order to permanently eliminate threats and potential terrorist attacks such as the one on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli military has unilaterally established a security zone in southern Lebanon, saying it is intended to prevent Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel. Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government describe the area as an occupation in violation of international law.

According to geographical calculations by Lebanese media, the area controlled by Israel covers around 620 square kilometres, amounting to 6% of Lebanese territory.