Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that Israel continues to violate the framework agreement reached during Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations in Washington by maintaining its attacks, destroying villages in southern Lebanon that it occupies, and bulldozing homes and property.
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Aoun made the remarks during a meeting with Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma.
The two officials discussed political and security developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation between Lebanon and the Netherlands.
Aoun stressed that the Lebanese Army is fully carrying out its duties in the areas where it has redeployed, adding that any claims to the contrary are intended to undermine the army, cast doubt on its role, and question its commitment to the decisions of the political authorities.
He said the reconstruction of southern Lebanon is the responsibility of the Lebanese state, but that it cannot be carried out as long as the Israeli occupation continues.
Aoun also reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to maintaining the presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, citing the important role it plays. If an extension of its mandate is not possible, Lebanon would welcome any Arab or friendly country willing to continue the work carried out by UNIFIL, particularly in providing humanitarian, social, health and educational support to the Lebanese Army and residents of the south.
He noted that consultations are underway to establish an appropriate legal framework for such an international presence.
For his part, the Dutch minister said the Netherlands stands in solidarity with Lebanon and the Lebanese people amid the difficult circumstances they are facing. He said his visit to Nabatieh allowed him to see firsthand the scale of the suffering endured by the Lebanese people and the impact of the war on their lives and communities.
