Lebanese President: Israel Must Leave Our Territory

Lebanon will not allow Israel to remain on its territory and will seek the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Tuesday (11/8).

“Ultimately, we will not allow Israel to remain even one inch on our land, or allow a single Israeli soldier to remain in our territory,” President Aoun said during a meeting with a delegation from the Maronite Foundation in the World, as quoted by the presidential office.

He added that all Lebanese people agree on the main objectives, namely the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of prisoners and the reconstruction of destroyed areas.

Aoun also said there had been progress in the negotiations, which he considered better than the devastating impact of war.

Furthermore, he explained that the signing of the framework agreement had reduced the number of Israeli attacks and encouraged more Lebanese citizens to return to their homeland in the summer.

The president stated that it was time for the people of southern Lebanon to achieve stability in their birthplace and fully restore the functions of the state, despite opposition.

Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington on 26 June containing provisions for a full ceasefire and the restoration of Lebanese military control over the country’s southern region, on condition of the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Negotiations discussing the implementation mechanism continued in Rome on 6-7 August.

Nevertheless, Israeli attacks on Lebanon still occur almost daily. Israel still maintains a military presence in southern Lebanon, which has forced most of the local population to flee.