Lebanese FM says country wants “full withdrawal” of Israeli forces

Lebanon is calling for a “full, total and unconditional withdrawal” of Israel’s forces, Youssef Rajji said during his first visit overseas since being chosen as foreign minister, The National reported on February 14th.

Rajji said on February 13th that the cabinet was working to ensure that “the monopoly of force was in the hands of the legal government,” which is reportedly an expression used to urge for Hezbollah to be disarmed, the only paramilitary group to maintain its weapons at the end of the civil war, which took place between 1975-1990.

Hezbollah was majorly weakened in the most recent war with Israel, facilitating the election in January of President Joseph Aoun.

The National