Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that Israel had failed to abide by the formula of the framework agreement reached during negotiations in Washington.
Speaking during a meeting with Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen at Baabda Palace, Aoun said the objectives of the direct negotiations adopted by Lebanon to halt Israeli hostilities and restore security and stability include Israel’s withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, the deployment of the Lebanese Army, the return of prisoners, the start of reconstruction, and ultimately an end to the state of hostility with Israel.
Aoun stressed that reconstruction in southern Lebanon is essential to ensure residents can return to their villages, calling on the European Union to contribute to the process, which Lebanon cannot undertake alone. He said the Lebanese government is taking appropriate measures to facilitate the return of residents.
Aoun briefed the Finnish minister on the situation in southern Lebanon and the destruction caused by Israeli attacks on southern villages and towns. He said he had personally witnessed the scale of the devastation, which had erased the features of targeted communities, as well as the loss of life, particularly among children and women and workers in relief, civil defense, the Lebanese Red Cross and the media.
He said the Lebanese Army, which has strengthened its deployment in non-occupied villages in particular and other southern areas, is fully carrying out its duties to maintain security, prevent armed displays and help residents return to their villages. Aoun rejected Israeli claims that the army was failing to perform its duties.
He added that Lebanese soldiers are carrying out missions across the country, including securing the eastern and northern borders, combating terrorism and maintaining civil peace despite limited resources. Lebanon, he said, has asked brotherly and friendly countries, particularly European states, to provide the military with equipment and supplies to enable it to carry out its required missions.
Aoun said the issue would be discussed at a meeting scheduled for Thursday in Paris, in preparation for an international conference to support the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces.
For his part, Hakkanen expressed his pleasure at being in Lebanon, noting that Finnish forces serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have been present since 1982. Around 17,000 Finnish military officers and personnel have served with the mission over the years and established strong ties with residents of the villages where they were deployed.
Hakkanen reaffirmed Finland’s support for Lebanon and its desire to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, particularly defense. He said Finland viewed positively Lebanon’s aspirations for the period following the end of UNIFIL’s mandate at the end of this year, adding that Finland would coordinate with European Union countries on any decision they take in this regard.
Aoun welcomed any country wishing to keep its forces in southern Lebanon after the UNIFIL deadline expires. He also welcomed a French-Italian initiative to establish a European force to assist the Lebanese Army after it deploys to the international border, provided an appropriate legal framework is established for such participation.
Aoun had earlier received Hakkanen and his accompanying delegation in the presence of Lebanese Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Michel Menassa and Finnish Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Meskanen. The Finnish minister is visiting Lebanon to inspect Finnish troops serving in the south as part of UNIFIL and hold talks with his Lebanese counterpart on bilateral military cooperation.
Aoun also thanked the Finnish minister for visiting Lebanon amid the difficult circumstances facing the south due to continuing Israeli attacks and the occupation of several southern villages and towns. He praised Finland’s contribution to UNIFIL since 1982 and the sacrifices made by Finnish personnel while working to maintain security and stability along Lebanon’s southern border.
Lebanon and Israel concluded a framework agreement on June 26 following five rounds of US-sponsored negotiations. The agreement primarily calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah and Israel’s gradual withdrawal from areas it occupies in southern Lebanon, alongside the deployment of the Lebanese Army beginning in designated “pilot areas.”
The framework agreement provides for a reciprocal and gradual process under which the Lebanese Army would regain effective sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory, alongside the disarmament of non-state armed groups and the dismantling of their infrastructure. This would allow Israeli forces to redeploy outside Lebanese territory under security arrangements and verification mechanisms set out in a US-backed security annex.
Hezbollah has categorically rejected direct negotiations with Israel and giving up its weapons.
Israel continues to maintain forces in southern Lebanon under what it calls a “security zone” extending up to 10 kilometers along its border, while continuing to carry out strikes and large-scale demolition operations.
The war began after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the beginning of the US-Israeli attack on Iran.
Source: The Lebanese News Agency (NNA)
