Salam says state sole decision-maker but Israel undermining govt. efforts

Israel is not abiding by the ceasefire as it is still occupying five points in south Lebanon and detaining Lebanese prisoners in Israel, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told CNN.

Salam said the Israeli attacks and violations are undermining the efforts of his government to disarm Hezbollah and expand the state's authority to all Lebanese territory.

Salam said the conditions for peace with Israel are not yet in place and that " it is not logical to talk about peace" when "Israel continues to occupy Lebanese territory and violate Lebanon's sovereignty on a daily basis."

In another interview with Euronews, Salam stressed that Lebanon wants stability and that an all-out war must be avoided.

"We want stability of the region and to avoid an all-out war," he said, adding that Israeli attacks and violations fuel instability and obstruct the government's efforts.

Asked by CNN journalist about Hezbollah's warning that if the United States attacks Iran, it will not remain neutral. "It's not a matter of neutrality or not," Salam said. "I have said and I re-iterate that the state is the only authority on matters of war and peace."