Situation in the South "remains unchanged" until further notice; Aoun holds talks with the Mechanism's head on implementing the Framework Agreement

The situation on the ground in southern Lebanon remains unchanged, as is typical each day, until the Israeli military concludes its large-scale bombing operations in several towns and villages. Meanwhile, its drones dropped bombs on a four-story public school in Eastern Zouitri. The municipality and local figures in Zouitri issued a statement condemning the destruction of civilian infrastructure in the town, including the public school, the municipal building, a daycare center, a clinic, and a medical center, describing these acts as a “serious escalation.”

In the meantime, the file of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations and efforts to implement the “Framework Agreement” reached under US sponsorship last June became a central topic in a meeting yesterday between President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun and General Joseph Klairfield, head of the “Special Military Coordination Group for Lebanon,” also known as the “Mechanism Committee,” along with his deputies. US Ambassador to Beirut Michael Issa was present at the meeting.

During the meeting, held at Baabda Palace, the executive steps of the agreement were discussed, according to a statement from the Lebanese Presidency. The statement clarified that the discussion on the executive measures of the “Framework Agreement” followed the results of General Klairfield’s field visit to the occupied Palestinian territories last week, which was part of monitoring security arrangements and mechanisms for the gradual withdrawal and the extension of Lebanese state sovereignty.

For his part, Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Oueidat received the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jean Arnault, where they discussed the situation in the region and in Lebanon, particularly the post-UNIFIL phase. Arnault praised the role of the Lebanese Army, expressing his appreciation for its sacrifices for the country.

On another front, the Parliament approved the general amnesty law by a show of hands, with the agreed-upon amendments, which include the exceptional reduction of the duration of certain sentences. The Parliament also approved the draft law on reforming the status of banks in Lebanon and reorganizing them, in accordance with the amendments recommended by the Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee, taking into account some amendments proposed by the Minister of Finance.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raji issued a statement thanking “all his counterparts and all friends around the world who congratulated Lebanon on the abolition of the death penalty,” considering that “this historic decision does justice to Lebanon’s history and the message it carries.”

In parallel, the Lebanese Journalists’ Syndicate and the Lebanese Press Editors’ Syndicate, during a press conference, expressed their rejection of “the new media law approved by Parliament,” urging “President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun to return it to Parliament for re-examination and amendment to ensure media and public freedoms.”

Journalists’ Syndicate President Awni al-Kaaki did not attend the conference due to travel, with his deputy, George Solage, representing him. Meanwhile, Press Editors’ Syndicate President Joseph Quseifi warned that “the law includes articles described as dangerous, particularly Article 104,” which he said “will be a sword hanging over journalists’ heads, leading to imprisonment and imposing heavy fines.” He also warned against “opening the door to the creation of hybrid syndicates like poisonous mushrooms on sectarian and factional bases, further fragmenting the scene.”

Quseifi urged President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun “to exercise his constitutional powers and return this law to Parliament for re-examination and amendment to enhance media and public freedoms and the unity of the journalistic body.”

On a separate note, the French Consulate General in Beirut denied reports claiming the suspension of visa issuance. The Consulate stated in a press release that “this information is incorrect,” adding, “Visa issuance continues without interruption. However, as is the case every year at this time, we have noticed a noticeable increase in the number of applications,” emphasizing that “the Consulate is fully prepared to handle this situation,” while noting that “it is practically impossible to process all incoming applications immediately.”

The Consulate advised applicants to “be wary of unofficial information and rumors circulating on social media.”