Salam visits Jordan, says Israel 'more isolated' than ever

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday during a visit to Jordan that Israel will get more and more isolated in the world amid the measures it is carrying out in the West Bank and Gaza.

Jordan's Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan said during the meeting that his country supports Lebanon and backs its sovereignty, security and stability, lauding a decision by the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah and extend the state's authority over the entire Lebanese territory.

"We are faced with two projects: the first, which we strive for, is based on extending state sovereignty to reach stability, prosperity and strength. The second seeks to deepen conflicts," Hassan said.

Lebanon has been grappling with the thorny issue of disarming Hezbollah, with the cabinet tasking the army last week with developing a plan to do so by the end of the year.

The decision angered Hezbollah and its allies, who believe Israel's military should first withdraw from the five hilltops it has occupied in southern Lebanon since the end of its 14-month war with Hezbollah last November and stop launching almost daily airstrikes in the country.

Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's secretary-general, has vowed to fight efforts to disarm the group, sowing fears of civil unrest in the country.

Hassan agreed with Salam that Israel is becoming isolated "due to the policies of savagery and extremism it pursues." The comments of the two prime ministers come after recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing support for the idea of an expanded "Greater Israel".

The term Greater Israel refers to a biblical interpretation of the nation's territory during the time of King Solomon, encompassing not only the present-day Palestinian territories of Gaza and the occupied West Bank, but also parts of modern Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Arab nations slammed Netanyahu 's comments, calling the remarks a threat to their sovereignty at an especially tense time for the region.