Aoun discussed with Mattarella and Meloni the post-UNIFIL mandate phase in Lebanon and the necessity of pressuring Israel to commit to implementing the Framework Agreement

Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun met on Friday evening with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Castello Aragonese castle in southern Italy, discussing Lebanese-Italian relations and ways to develop them across all fields.

President Aoun thanked Prime Minister Meloni for the support Italy provides Lebanon on various levels, and discussed with her the general situation in Lebanon, particularly in the south, in light of ongoing Israeli aggression and the necessity of pressuring Israel to commit to implementing the framework agreement reached in Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations in Washington.

The President also thanked the Italian Prime Minister for hosting the trilateral negotiations and for Italy’s role in consolidating security and stability in the south. The discussions covered the post-period of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate in Lebanon, and also addressed the situation in the region.

President Aoun had previously met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Castello Aragonese castle in southern Italy, reviewing Lebanese-Italian relations as well as the regional situation. Lebanese Ambassador to Italy Carla Jaziar participated in both meetings.