Beirut, Sept. 15 (SANA)Lebanese Prime MinisterNawaf Salamsaid Tuesday that Lebanon’s objective in negotiations with Israel is to end the war, secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from allLebanese territory, release prisoners and enable displaced residents to return to their villages and towns.

Speaking during a parliamentary session to question the government, Salam said negotiations do not represent a concession of rights, but rather a means of restoring them through diplomatic channels.

He stressed that sustainable stability cannot be achieved without extending state authority across all Lebanese territory through its own forces and ensuring that decisions of war and peace remain exclusively in the hands of the state.

Salam said the Lebanese president, in coordination with him and under Article 52 of the constitution, is responsible for negotiations with Israel under US mediation.

He added that Lebanon alone negotiates on behalf of the country, noting that the political framework reached through the talks is not a final legal agreement but includes measures aimed at an Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese Army.

Salam said more than 250,000 Lebanese remain displaced, while around 91,000 housing units were destroyed or damaged during the latest war, in addition to around 230,000 units affected during the previous conflict between 2023 and 2024.

He said the government has moved from managing displacement to addressing the challenges of return and recovery, including removing rubble, reopening roads, repairing bridges and restoring electricity, water and telecommunications services.

Salam said the scale of destruction exceeds Lebanon’s current financial capacity and requires Arab and international support as well as significant external funding.

He added that the two wars since 2023 have cost Lebanon more than $20 billion, with total losses potentially exceeding $27 billion, while economic growth is expected to shift from 4.2 percent last year to a projected contraction of 6.4 percent this year.

The prime minister said the government is continuing financial and banking reforms, including a financial recovery law and efforts to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, stressing that restoring confidence is essential for recovery and reconstruction.

Salam highlighted infrastructure projects aimed at supporting Lebanon’s economic recovery and strengthening regional connectivity, including the development of Tripoli Port, the Special Economic Zone, railway networks and René Mouawad Airport in Kleyat.

The projects aim to integrate maritime, land and air transport networks and strengthen trade and investment links.

Lebanese officials have also highlighted plans to strengthen railway connectivity between Tripoli and the Syrian border, with the potential to expand transport links toward Syria and wider regional markets.

Salam said Lebanon has worked to reconnect its economy with Arab markets and strengthen cooperation with Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, Gulf states and Syria.