“Enough with wars, tragedies and disasters,” said Lebanon’s prime minister, Najib Mikati after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hezbollah, adding that the country’s army would be strengthened to enforce the government’s authority in all parts of the country.

“Today begins the road of thousands of miles to rebuild what was destroyed and to continue to strengthen the role of legitimate institutions, led by the army, in which we have high hopes for the imposition of power in the country,” Mikati said in a televised his speech.

Lebanese officials have said the army deployment in the southern part of the country will be doubled to 10,000 troops.

At least 46 army soldiers were killed during hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, Mikati said.

He also urged Israel to abide by the terms of the ceasefire and withdraw from all areas in Lebanon.

“Our people have the right to return to their land and cities to live in peace,” he said.

Mikati also called on Lebanon to elect a president, a post that has been vacant for more than two years amid political deadlock among Lebanese lawmakers.

“I hope there will be a new page in Lebanon. I hope that the next few days will lead to the election of the president of the republic,” he said.

Israeli Defense Minister: The next 60 days are critical

At the same time, the Israeli Minister of Defense, Israel Kats he said on Wednesday that the next 60 days are critical to determine whether Israel’s war aims in the north have been realized.

“In the next 60 days, we will see if the goal of the war in the north, as defined, is being realized,” he told a defense industry conference. Katz said he intends to lead the effort to enforce all terms of the Israel-Hezbollah truce to allow residents of northern Israel to return to their homes.

Katz thanked the “decisive and correct decisions of the political leadership and the outstanding performance of the IDF and all security branches” for dealing “heavy blows” to Hezbollah “that significantly damaged its capabilities and set it back many years.”

Katz said the results of the campaign in the north “create additional pressure on Hamas,” explaining that Israel wants to create the conditions for a new prisoner exchange deal and release the remaining hostages held by Hamas. “This is the most important moral challenge we face right now. This is our ultimate goal,” he added.