Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called on Israel to fully adhere to the terms of the newly agreed ceasefire and withdraw from all territories it has occupied in southern Lebanon. Speaking to the press, Mikati expressed hope that the ceasefire would mark the beginning of a new chapter for Lebanon and lead to the election of a new president in the coming days.

“Please, let this be a new page for Lebanon,” Mikati stated. “I hope the coming days will lead to the election of a president.”

Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who played a key role in negotiating the ceasefire on behalf of Hezbollah, urged displaced residents to return to their homes. Despite official calls from both the Israeli and Lebanese militaries for civilians to refrain from returning until troops have fully withdrawn, Berri encouraged residents to go back to their villages and land.

“Return to your land and your birthplace,” Berri said, emphasizing the resilience of the Lebanese people during the months of conflict, which he described as the most dangerous period in Lebanon’s history, surpassing even the civil war that ravaged the country from 1975 to 1990.

Berri praised the unity of the Lebanese population during the conflict and expressed optimism for the future, stressing the urgent need for Lebanon to elect a president to ensure stability and peace.