Doha: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned Saturday of the risks posed by renewed military operations along the southern border, emphasizing the dangers of dragging Lebanon into another war that would bring devastation to the country and its people.

According to Qatar News Agency, Salam stressed during a phone call with Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Mansi the need to take all necessary security and military measures, reaffirming that only the state holds the authority to decide on matters of war and peace.

In another call with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Salam urged for increased international pressure on Israel to fully withdraw from the occupied Lebanese territories, as this occupation constitutes a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the arrangements for ceasing hostilities adopted by the previous government last November, which Lebanon remains committed to.

Earlier today, several towns in southern Lebanon were subjected to renewed Israeli artillery shelling.

On November 27, a ceasefire agreement came into effect in southern Lebanon, requiring Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanese border villages and towns within 60 days. After the deadline, the Lebanese government agreed to extend it until February 18, during which Israeli forces withdrew from most areas except for five border points still under their control.