Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya on Wednesday, to where the Lebanese Army deployed a day earlier as part of the implementation of the so-called “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon.
Salam welcomed the “start of Israel’s withdrawal from our land,” according to a post on his X account.
“From the outset, we have stated that our objective is the complete withdrawal of Israel from all our territory. What we are witnessing today is only the beginning, but we are determined and unwavering, and we will continue to mobilize all our political and diplomatic efforts to secure a total withdrawal from Lebanese territory,” said Salam.
مع بدء الانسحاب الاسرائيلي كلمتي من زوطر الغربية صباح اليوم:
— Nawaf Salam نواف سلام (@nawafsalam) July 22, 2026
أودّ أن أوجّه كلمة إلى اللبنانيين جميعًا، ولا سيّما إلى أهلنا في الجنوب، من بلدة زوطر الغربية. إن هذه لحظة وطنية تحمل أبعادًا سياسية ومعنوية كبيرة، لأنها تمثّل بداية الانسحاب الإسرائيلي من أرضنا.
لقد أكدنا منذ البداية… pic.twitter.com/c6OgiDHZ8R
He also addressed the residents of southern Lebanon. “We are here to assure you that we have begun to devote all the state’s resources to facilitating your return,” he said. “The Lebanese Army and security forces are on hand to protect our fellow citizens as they return, and alongside the army’s deployment, we will continue to open roads, clear rubble and provide essential services, thereby enabling them to return to their homes and villages safely and with dignity,” he added.
Salam also gave assurances that the authorities had “begun preparations to restore all essential services, including water, electricity, and telecommunications.”
“We are working to provide prefabricated housing and everything necessary to ensure a smooth transition,” he said.
For their part, residents of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya voiced dissatisfaction over the PM’s visit, saying it was conducted without engagement with the local population.
Locals said the visit appeared to take place “quietly” and away from residents, noting that Salam passed through the town without stopping to greet people, assess their conditions, or hear their concerns, according to Al-Manar correspondent in southern Lebanon.
The criticism reflects growing frustration among residents, who say they expected direct outreach and support from the Lebanese authorities amid the ongoing Israeli occupation and attacks.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Lebanese Army deployed to Zawtar Al-Gharbiya in the Nabatieh district, as part of ongoing operations in southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese Army Command announced that its units began deploying Tuesday morning to the town of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya in the Nabatieh district, as part of ongoing operations in southern Lebanon.
— Al-Manar English (@manarenglish) July 21, 2026
In a statement issued by its Directorate of Orientation the Lebanese Army cautioned… pic.twitter.com/dfBSsw5b8H
However, Israeli occupation forces opened fire near the Lebanese Army units during the deployment operation amid continued Israeli attacks and demolition operations across Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire.
Source: Al-Manar English Website