PM Mikati hopes Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire 'will turn a new page in Lebanon'

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday welcomed the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire saying that it will “turn a new page” for Lebanon.

Mikati also urged Israel to “fully commit” to the ceasefire deal and withdraw its troops from South Lebanon. According to a report by AFP, the prime minister held the first cabinet meeting since the truce came into effect where he discussed strengthening Lebanese armed forces in the south.

“I hope this will be a new page for Lebanon,” Mikati said.

What are the terms of the deal?

As part of the ceasefire agreement, approved by the Israeli cabinet in a 10-1 vote, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over 60 days as Lebanon’s army takes control of territory near its border with Israel to ensure that Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure there after a costly war.

The agreement, which promises to end a conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year, is a major achievement for the US in the waning days of President Joe Biden’s administration.

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Displaced people head home

Traffic on the road from the Lebanese capital to the south of the country has been congested since the early hours, as thousands of people head back home.

AFP journalists saw cars and minibuses packed with people carrying mattresses, suitcases and blankets, with some honking and singing in celebration as Hezbollah supporters portrayed the truce as a victory.

In Lebanon, more than 900,000 people fled their homes in recent weeks, according to the UN, as Israel pounded the country with a focus on areas where Hezbollah holds sway.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday fired warning shots at several vehicles in Lebanon where movement is still restricted. Local authorities say that the incident occurred in the Lebanese village of Kafr Kila which is across the Israeli town of Metula.

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With inputs from agencies