Lebanon is urging the Trump administration to press Israel to scale back its demands and end what Beirut describes as a continuing military incursion into Lebanese territory, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in an interview with The Washington Post ahead of a second round of rare direct talks with Israel.

Days after the Israeli army released a map outlining a strip of southern Lebanon it says it has taken control of as a buffer zone against Hezbollah attacks, Salam insisted that Lebanon could not accept any agreement that falls short of a “full withdrawal” of Israeli forces.

“We cannot live with a so-called buffer zone,” he said, “an Israeli presence where Lebanese displaced people are not allowed to return, where destroyed villages and towns cannot be rebuilt.”

Lebanese and Israeli diplomats are due to hold their second round of talks on Thursday at the US State Department.

Israel has signaled that the current ceasefire arrangement, which includes terms favorable to its position, will not prevent continued military operations aimed at weakening Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group based in Lebanon.

Salam stressed that the United States plays a decisive mediating role.

“We are entering these negotiations convened by the U.S. convinced that the U.S. is the party that can have leverage over Israel,” Salam said. “Their role was critical in reaching the ceasefire, and we hope they will continue exercising their leverage over Israel.”

Asked whether Washington appeared receptive to Lebanon’s position, Salam said the process remained in its early stages.

“I don’t know what we can achieve through negotiation, but I know what we want,” he said. “Whether it’s an avenue we should pursue? My answer is indeed yes. Because we don’t want to leave any stone unturned to reach our objectives.”

Salam also said the “only way” to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah is to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces. He reiterated that Lebanon did not seek the conflict, which he said erupted after Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel last month in response to the US-Israeli killing of Iran’s supreme leader.

Addressing Israeli criticism that his government has not done enough to rein in Hezbollah, Salam said his cabinet had already taken “bold decisions,” including steps to confiscate weapons and restrict Hezbollah’s military activity.

He argued that establishing state control over all arms is fundamentally in Lebanon’s own interest, regardless of external pressure.

“It’s high time to recognize that a State cannot have two armies,” he said.

“Disarmament is a process; it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight. But what’s more important is that we have shown seriousness,” he added, saying the government would not be “intimidated” by Hezbollah.

Lebanon is also appealing to international partners, including Washington and Paris, to help reinforce its underfunded military through equipment, training and financial assistance. Salam said support is also urgently needed to address what he described as an “unprecedented humanitarian tragedy” and the massive reconstruction required across war-damaged areas.

Responding to domestic criticism over engaging in direct talks with Israel while Lebanese territory remains under fire, he insisted the diplomacy was not a concession.

“This is not a concession to anyone,” he said.

Salam said France would play a significant role in strengthening Lebanon’s army and mobilizing aid for devastated border villages, adding that Beirut must “mobilize all our friends” as it navigates a volatile diplomatic and security landscape.