Lebanese PM visits southern village as army takes control under Israel withdrawal deal

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited the southern village of Zavtar al-Gharbiya on Wednesday after it was transferred to the control of the Lebanese Army as part of a U.S.-brokered framework agreement with Israel.

Accompanied by Defense Minister Michel Morsi and other senior officials, Salam raised the Lebanese national flag during the visit, symbolizing the restoration of state authority in the area, Caliber.Az reports.

مع بدء الانسحاب الاسرائيلي كلمتي من زوطر الغربية صباح اليوم:

أودّ أن أوجّه كلمة إلى اللبنانيين جميعًا، ولا سيّما إلى أهلنا في الجنوب، من بلدة زوطر الغربية. إن هذه لحظة وطنية تحمل أبعادًا سياسية ومعنوية كبيرة، لأنها تمثّل بداية الانسحاب الإسرائيلي من أرضنا.

لقد أكدنا منذ البداية… pic.twitter.com/c6OgiDHZ8R

— Nawaf Salam نواف سلام (@nawafsalam) July 22, 2026

The prime minister described the handover of Zavtar al-Gharbiya as the first step in a broader process and reiterated the government's commitment to securing the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

"The return of this village is only the beginning," Salam said, adding that the government is working to ensure the full implementation of the agreement and the restoration of Lebanese sovereignty across the south.

He also announced that preparations are underway to restore essential public services, including water, electricity, and telecommunications, while providing temporary housing and other support for residents returning to the area.

"Bringing life back to the south is not just a slogan, but a national goal that the state is determined to achieve," Salam said.

Zavtar al-Gharbiya is one of six designated "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon where Israeli forces are expected to withdraw under the U.S.-mediated arrangement. The agreement envisions the deployment of Lebanese Army units to the areas vacated by Israeli troops as part of efforts to stabilize the border region following months of cross-border hostilities.

By Sabina Mammadli