In a phone call with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz on Wednesday, Lebanon’s president insisted that Israeli forces withdraw from five strategic hilltops inside Lebanon.
Israel is keeping its forces on Lebanese soil even after a deadline spelled out in a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war.
President Joseph Aoun told Waltz that a full Israeli pullout from the five border hilltops would increase stability in the country’s south.
The statement from Aoun’s office also said he asked the Trump administration to help speed up the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel.
Israeli troops withdrew on Tuesday from most of south Lebanon, but Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel would temporarily remain in five points needed for its security.
The Lebanese presidency said that Lebanon would consider any remaining Israeli presence on Lebanese land an occupation.
Israel had been due to withdraw by January 26, but this was extended to February 18 after it accused Lebanon of failing to enforce the terms. Lebanon at the time accused Israel of delaying its withdrawal.
