Beirut: Lebanese President, General Joseph Aoun, has called on the international community to step up pressure on Israel to complete the withdrawal of its forces from southern Lebanon within the deadline set in the ceasefire deal that was reached on Nov. 27, 2024.
According to Qatar News Agency, Aoun was speaking during his meeting Tuesday with the Spanish Defense Minister, Margarita Robles. He stressed that non-compliance on the part of Israel to withdraw its forces unequivocally contravenes the pledges that were given to Lebanon during the negotiations that preceded the ceasefire deal.
He added that the situation remains tense in the border villages and prevents stability and return of people to their towns, in addition to hampering the reconstruction process of the areas devastated by the Israeli aggression. Numerous communications have been held to compel Israel to withdraw, and received a response from the international community, he said, stressing that the international community should make pressures in this direction.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Caretaker National Defense Minister, Maurice Sleem, met with Robles on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relationships and developments in Lebanon, with Robles emphasizing Spain's unwavering support to Lebanon in all fields. He added that Spain will consistently participate in the UNIFIL mission and boost the existing cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese army to restore stability in southern Lebanon.
He stressed that the Lebanese army will be highly committed to collaborating with UNIFIL, particularly during this phase, as it performs a central role in maintaining security and stability at a time the Israeli occupation army continues its breaches and offensive in the southern villages and towns in a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and resolution 1701, along with the violation of the terms of the ceasefire arrangements. He underscored that Lebanon insists on the Israeli withdrawal from the southern territories within the deadline set by these arrangements by Jan. 26, 2025.