Lebanese President Urges Washington to Pressure Israeli Occupation to Comply with 'Framework Agreement'

Beirut, September 29 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the United States on Tuesday to pressure the Israeli occupation to implement the “Framework Agreement” and its annexes, which were reached last June under U.S. sponsorship. The Lebanese presidency said in a statement that this appeal came during President Aoun’s reception at Baabda Palace of U.S. Congress members Darin Halawi and Josh Gottheimer and members of their accompanying delegation.

Aoun stated that “Lebanon places great importance on the United States pressuring Israel to commit to implementing the Framework Agreement, which resulted from Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations held in Washington,” adding that “Israel continues to refrain from adhering to the agreement’s annexes, despite Lebanon’s full commitment to its implementation.”

He further noted that activating the “Agreement Framework” requires swift action to complete the return of Lebanese prisoners, resolve disputed points along the Blue Line, and achieve the gradual withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Lebanese territory, followed by the deployment of the Lebanese Army up to the internationally recognized southern borders.

The Lebanese president stressed the urgent need to halt the Israeli occupation’s immediate acts of bombing, bulldozing, and destroying homes and villages in the occupied southern areas, as well as altering their landscape.

Aoun warned that any delay by occupation forces in implementing the Framework Agreement would sustain tensions in the south, prevent the state from fully exercising its authority, hinder the removal of armed elements, and delay the return of displaced persons.

He observed that the cooperation demonstrated by Beirut regarding the implementation of the Framework Agreement’s annexes has not received any reciprocal response from the Israeli side, which continues its military operations and threats.

The statement also noted that President Aoun emphasized the importance of providing the Lebanese Army with the necessary capabilities to carry out its broad mandates in combating terrorism, smuggling, and safeguarding the eastern and northern borders, as well as maintaining civil peace. At the same time, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the path of financial, economic, and judicial reforms and the completion of related legislation. (End) F.Z. / N.S.A.