Lebanese Prime Minister Calls for Sole State Military Authority in South Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Tensions

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited a military base in Tyre on August 21, 2026, where he emphasized that the southern region of Lebanon must be under the exclusive authority of the Lebanese state. Speaking to officers and soldiers, Salam declared, "There is no option but one army, one flag, and one state," underscoring the government's stance that all security and military decisions should be centralized within state institutions.

Salam highlighted that the presence of the Lebanese army in the south represents the state's authority, but stressed that the state's return to the area requires not only military deployment but also the integration of all state institutions. He further noted that Lebanon's strength depends not solely on the army's weaponry but also on national unity and cohesion. The prime minister pledged continued efforts to garner Arab and international support to bolster the Lebanese army's capabilities.

This message comes amid ongoing disputes over Hezbollah's weapons and role in southern Lebanon, as well as recent Israeli strikes in the region. Salam's call for "one state" reflects his government's policy to regulate security solely through official state bodies, aiming to stabilize the south and prevent a broader conflict with Israel. The government seeks to use army deployment and institutional strengthening as a foundation for resolving tensions in the area.