The Lebanese government vowed on Monday to liberate all of its territory “exclusively with its own forces”, as the deadline for Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon approaches on February 18.

Lebanese Information Minister, Paul Morcos, made the announcement during a televised press conference, emphasizing the government’s commitment to assert sovereignty over its entire territory and to maintain a monopoly on arms, indirectly referencing the Shiite group Hezbollah.

“The Lebanese government is committed to the liberation of all Lebanese territory,” Morcos stated. He stressed that the State alone would control weapons, effectively ruling out the possibility of any armed organizations operating independently.

Morcos reiterated the government’s commitment to fully implementing United Nations Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war and serves as the basis for the current ceasefire. The resolution also calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah and for the Lebanese state to maintain sole authority over arms within its borders.

The Minister further emphasized Lebanon’s intention to “distance itself from regional conflicts”, given the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, and reiterated its commitment to rebuilding areas damaged by Israeli attacks, utilizing a reconstruction support fund.

The statement came shortly after Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the Israeli military plans to maintain five positions near the Lebanese border, despite the agreement requiring a complete withdrawal by Tuesday, February 18.

Haaretz reported that the decision was made in coordination with the United States, although negotiations for a full withdrawal from southern Lebanon are ongoing.

In contrast, France, which is also overseeing the ceasefire, has advocated for the full withdrawal of Israeli troops by the stipulated deadline of February 18.

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