BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 15. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has said that Lebanon does not have the financial resources to cover the cost of rebuilding after Israel’s offensive against the country and will need support from its Arab allies.
Addressing parliament, Salam said Lebanon had been drawn into a war it did not choose, with the conflict causing an estimated $3 billion to $4 billion in damage and costs. He stressed that the government is working to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese armed forces with assistance from Arab and international partners.
Salam said Lebanon would not achieve security and stability as long as the conflict continues in the south, emphasizing that Beirut’s objective is the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territory and the return of displaced people to their homes.
He also stressed that decisions on war and peace must remain exclusively in the hands of the Lebanese state.
On the economic front, Salam said financial discipline was essential for monetary stability and for protecting the state’s ability to maintain public spending. He said the government wants a fiscally responsible budget that also provides social protection, supports economic growth and encourages investment.
The prime minister added that the government is focused on facilitating the return of displaced families to their villages and towns. He also highlighted Lebanon’s efforts to restore relations with Arab countries, saying the improvement in regional ties had helped increase Lebanese exports to several Arab markets.
