Beirut: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asserted on Saturday that no armed forces will be present in southern Lebanon other than the Lebanese Army, Lebanese security forces, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Aoun made these remarks during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
According to Kuwait News Agency, President Aoun stated that the Lebanese army is deployed south of the Litani River, except in areas still occupied by Israel, specifically the five hilltops from which Israel has not withdrawn. He emphasized that the continued Israeli occupation of these areas obstructs the establishment of security and stability in the south.
President Aoun pointed out that Israel's refusal to release Lebanese prisoners and its ongoing hostilities, extending to Beirut's southern suburbs and the roads leading to the capital, complicate Lebanon's efforts to fully assert its authority. He urged the United Kingdom to pressure Israel to withdraw its forces, provide guarantees against further attacks on Lebanon, and comply with Resolution 1701.
Moreover, the president called for continued support for Lebanon at the United Nations to maintain UNIFIL's presence, as the situation in Lebanon and the region necessitates these forces in accordance with Resolution 1701. He assured the British minister that the Lebanese government is committed to implementing reforms, prioritizing them as a national objective even before they became an international demand.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Lammy confirmed the robust British-Lebanese relations and reiterated the ongoing support provided by the UK to Lebanon, particularly in the military sector, as stated by Lebanon's presidency.