BEIRUT: Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Sunday Lebanon has the right to liberate its land from Israeli occupation, adding that his country is undergoing state and administrative reform in order to achieve democracy

“Lebanon, which complies with international resolutions, commits to implementing resolution 1701 fully and without any distinction or selectivity, reserving its legitimate right to liberate its occupied land by all available means,” Mikati said in his speech at a U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia conference on democracy and transition in the Arab world.

Mikati’s also slammed Israel’s repeated violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and human rights, urging the U.N. to ensure the implementation of resolutions related to Lebanon, namely U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

“Israel does not hesitate to breach or ignore international resolutions and norms, while violating solemnly the most basic human rights and principles,” he said. “In this context we look forward to the United Nations issuing just international resolutions and ensuring their just implementation.”

The Jewish state occupies parts of the Shebaa Farms, Tilal Kfarshouba and the northern part of Ghajar. It also violates Lebanon’s airspace on a weekly basis using reconnaissance planes and at times, warplanes.

Many Lebanese lawmakers and religious leaders have maintained that the U.N. should force Israel to end its violations against Lebanon in a bid to eradicate Hezbollah’s pretext for carrying arms.

During his three-day visit to Lebanon, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that Israeli violations discredit the U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon and has asked Israel to withdraw from all occupied Arab land.

Mikati also said that his government was working to implement state and administrative reform to achieve a more representative, democratic system.

"The Lebanese government has focused its priorities on good governance through administrative reform, transparency, and the development of a democratic system by launching a new electoral law,” Mikati said

“Our government is determined to undertake leading reform steps despite the many challenges that might occur,” he added.

Mikati’s Cabinet is currently studying a new electoral law based on proportional representation to be implemented in the 2013 parliamentary elections. The draft has stoked opposition with certain lawmakers who prefer the existing winner-takes- all system.

Mikati also spoke of changes in the region and said democracy has become the will of the people and should not be avoided, suggesting a joint Arab plan to meet the demands of the masses and implement reform.

"The establishment of a common Arab market that allows commercial exchanges and free movement of citizens without constraints is the key to building stable, peaceful, interactive, and prosperous societies in the region," he added.