Lebanese President: Israeli occupation attacks target the framework agreement and efforts to halt escalation
Beirut, Sept 7 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Monday that the attacks carried out by Israeli occupation forces in the south target the framework agreement process and undermine all efforts to halt the escalation. The Lebanese Presidency said in a statement that President Aoun’s remarks came during his meeting at Baabda Palace with French Minister of Justice Gerard Darmanin and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Lebanese Minister of Justice Adil Nassar and French Ambassador to Lebanon Patrick Doreil.
Aoun stated that “Israel’s attacks in the south will not bring security to civilians on the border,” stressing Lebanon’s determination to continue the diplomatic track. He added that “the Israeli side is required to respond to the trilateral framework agreement, which was signed with Arab and European support and under US sponsorship.”
He considered that “the killing of innocents, targeting civilians, families, children, and women, destroying villages and towns, bombing state institutions, the Red Cross, and Civil Defense, burning homes, and uprooting property, churches, and places of worship are unacceptable and constitute a violation of international law.”
President Aoun reaffirmed his country’s support for renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year in the south, expressing his welcome for the French-Italian initiative to form a European alternative force “in the event of UNIFIL’s withdrawal.” He noted that he would follow up on the UNIFIL file with French President Emmanuel Macron during his upcoming visit to Paris next week to attend the opening of the preparatory meeting for the international conference to support the Lebanese Army and internal security forces.
President Aoun appreciated the sacrifices made by French soldiers participating in UNIFIL, pointing out that the Lebanese Ministry of Justice and the Military Justice Department are following up on the case of the killing of two French soldiers during the recent events in Lebanon.
The statement noted that the French minister praised during the meeting the judicial reforms achieved in Lebanon, particularly the abolition of the death penalty, which was approved by the Parliament in its session last month.
Minister Darmanin affirmed France’s steadfast support for Lebanon and its accompaniment of its reform path to strengthen its independence and sovereignty, emphasizing his country’s readiness to support Lebanon in the “courageous reform path it has chosen.” (End) F.Z. / N.S.A.
