“Enough wars, tragedies and catastrophes,” Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said after a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hezbollah, adding that the country’s military will be strengthened to enforce the government’s authority over all parts of the country.
“Today begins the thousand-mile road to reconstruct what was destroyed, and to continue to strengthen the role of the legitimate institutions, led by the military, who we place great hopes in to enforce authority on the country,” Mikati said in a televised speech.
Lebanese officials have said the army’s deployment in the south of the country would double to 10,000 soldiers.
At least 46 army soldiers were killed during the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, Mikati said.
He also urged Israel to adhere to the ceasefire terms and withdraw from all areas in Lebanon.
Mikati also called for Lebanon to elect a president, a position that’s been vacant for more than two years amid political deadlock between Lebanese lawmakers.
“I hope there will be a new page in Lebanon. I hope that the coming days will lead to the election of a president of the republic,” he said.
