Lebanese leaders urged on Thursday an end to Israeli attacks and violations of the ceasefire agreement, calling for the reactivation of the international monitoring committee tasked with overseeing its implementation.
The committee’s new head, US General Joseph Clearfield, pledged to step up its efforts and ensure more structured coordination in the weeks ahead.
Clearfield held separate meetings in Beirut with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Sources familiar with the discussions described the atmosphere as “positive,” noting a “fresh momentum and clear determination for more serious engagement going forward.”
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Clearfield stressed the importance of avoiding military escalation and expressed a firm commitment to revitalizing the committee’s work through biweekly meetings, along with continuous coordination with Israel.
Aoun, for his part, underscored the need to reactivate the monitoring mechanism to end repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement reached in November last year.
“Lebanon has fully abided by the ceasefire since its declaration,” the president said, adding that the country “places great hopes on the monitoring committee to help restore stability to the South and put an end to unjustified Israeli attacks, especially those targeting civilians and vital infrastructure.”
He further highlighted that the Lebanese Armed Forces “are fully carrying out their responsibilities south of the Litani River and reinforcing their deployment daily.”
He called for pressure on Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory still under occupation, paving the way for the army to complete its deployment along the international border.
Aoun also pointed to the army’s progress in clearing areas of armed activity, uncovering tunnels, and seizing weapons, despite the challenging terrain in the South.
Reaffirming Lebanon’s commitment to the security measures adopted by the military command, the president said: “Any support from the monitoring committee will help restore security and stability to border communities. No one in the South — or in Lebanon as a whole — wants a return to war.”
According to a statement from parliament, Berri expressed to Clearfield concerns over “daily Israeli airstrikes targeting civilians and economic, industrial, and agricultural infrastructure throughout the South and across Lebanon,” as well as Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanese territory along the border, in violation of both the ceasefire and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Clearfield outlined the committee’s work plan and mechanisms for the coming phase, expressing hope for “significant progress toward consolidating the ceasefire and securing Israel’s withdrawal from occupied Lebanese land.”
Salam, in turn, reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to completing the disarmament process south of the Litani River by the end of the year, in accordance with the army’s plan.
“Israel must also fulfill its obligations by withdrawing from occupied territory and ending its ongoing attacks,” he stated.
