Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on the US and France to press Israel to uphold its commitments under the ceasefire agreement announced between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah in November.
During a meeting with French Presidential Envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian at Baabda Palace on Wednesday, Aoun highlighted ongoing Israeli violations in south Lebanon, which he said contradict the ceasefire agreement, citing Israel’s continued occupation of five strategic hills and its failure to release Lebanese citizens taken captive during the recent conflict.
Aoun also urged the guarantors of the agreement to press Israel to uphold its commitments to preserve their own credibility and to ensure the restoration of stability and the cessation of hostilities.
The ceasefire ended Israel's intense bombardment and ground operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah's daily rocket barrages into Israel. Each side has accused the other of failing to implement the deal in full.
Israel says Hezbollah still has military infrastructure in the south. Lebanon and Hezbollah say Israel is occupying Lebanese land by continuing to carry out some airstrikes and keeping its troops at five hilltop positions near the frontier.
The discussions between the Lebanese president and the French envoy also covered the security situation along Lebanon’s border with Syria.
Aoun told Le Drian that he was looking forward to his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday.
The visit, Aoun said, is an opportunity to express his appreciation for France’s unwavering support for Lebanon and mainly Macron’s personal role in facilitating Lebanon’s presidential election.
The President also stressed that reform remains a top priority, alongside the reconstruction of towns and villages devastated by Israeli bombardment during the recent war.
Le Drian also visited Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail and Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.
