BEIRUT, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday reaffirmed Lebanon's demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from its territory, saying Beirut will not accept any continued Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon.
"We know exactly what we want from the negotiations, which is a full Israeli withdrawal," Salam was quoted as saying by local news website Lebanon Debate.
"Lebanon will not accept the continued presence of Israeli forces at five points or even two points," he said during a meeting with a delegation from the Lebanese Press Syndicate.
Salam noted that Lebanon is part of a mechanism established in Switzerland to help consolidate the ceasefire, while separate negotiations in Washington are "the least costly path for Lebanon."
He said Lebanon is also seeking the release of detainees and the resolution of outstanding border issues with Israel.
On the issue of weapons, Salam stressed that extending state authority across all Lebanese territory is a national commitment under the 1989 Taif Agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, rather than external pressure.
He added that the monitoring role of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon in southern Lebanon would remain necessary even if an agreement is reached with Israel.
Separately, Salam received a British parliamentary delegation on Wednesday, which voiced solidarity with Lebanon and expressed support for a full Israeli withdrawal and for strengthening assistance to the Lebanese army.
