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Lebanese President Seeks EU Support for Israel Accord, UNIFIL's Future
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Lebanese President Seeks EU Support for Israel Accord, UNIFIL's Future

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the European Union to support a US-mediated framework agreement with Israel.
  • Aoun also advocated for the continued presence of the UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon.
  • The president discussed his recent "fruitful" meeting with then-U.S. President Donald Trump regarding ending the conflict.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on the European Union to back a US-brokered framework agreement with Israel, emphasizing that Lebanon's stability is crucial for regional security. During a meeting with the EU Ambassador to Beirut, Sandra De Waele, Aoun stressed the importance of the EU's support for implementing the accord.

We call on the European Union to support the implementation of the framework agreement, as the stability of Lebanon will reflect on the stability of the countries in the region.

— Lebanese PresidencyThe Lebanese Presidency issued this statement after President Aoun met with the EU Ambassador to Beirut.

Aoun also voiced strong support for maintaining the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the country's south. He suggested that keeping UNIFIL is the best option for the upcoming phase, or alternatively, establishing a replacement force. UNIFIL's mandate is set to officially conclude on December 31, 2026, followed by a phased withdrawal throughout 2027, with a one-year transition period for security responsibilities to be transferred to the Lebanese Army.

Maintaining UNIFIL is the best option for the next phase, and if that is not possible, then creating an alternative force to replace it.

— Joseph AounPresident Aoun expressed his views on the future of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

Reflecting on his recent visit to Washington, Aoun described his meeting with then-U.S. President Donald Trump as "fruitful," stating it is time to end the war. He affirmed Lebanon's commitment to reforms, even amidst the ongoing conflict. The framework agreement, signed in Washington on June 26 with US mediation, outlines a roadmap for lasting peace and security between Lebanon and Israel.

My meeting with the (U.S. President, Donald) Trump was fruitful, and the time has come to end the war once and for all.

— Joseph AounPresident Aoun commented on his recent visit to Washington and his discussions with then-U.S. President Trump.

The pact includes provisions for the Lebanese Armed Forces to gradually assume "full and effective security" responsibilities in designated "pilot zones." Israeli troops are expected to withdraw from these areas, which they occupied during their invasion of southern Lebanon. A significant challenge remains whether Hezbollah will disarm and allow the Lebanese Army to operate in southern Lebanon, a historical stronghold for the Shiite group.

Lebanon is at a crossroads and at the beginning of a new chapter, and they support it on the path of security, stability, and reforms.

— Sandra De WaeleThe EU Ambassador to Beirut conveyed the EU's support for Lebanon.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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