France urges complete Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: French Foreign Ministry
19 Feb 2025 02:24
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The French Foreign Ministry stressed that a complete Israeli withdrawal is part of the commitments made in the ceasefire agreement that it oversees.

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Israeli occupation forces are seen near the Blue Line in Southern Lebanon, on February 18, 2025. (AP)

France reiterated the need for a complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Lebanon after the deadline for their withdrawal passed on Tuesday, a statement released by the French Foreign Ministry emphasized.

Paris urged Israeli authorities and all concerned parties to take up its proposal to ensure that a complete withdrawal is achieved. This comes after the Israeli regime unilaterally decided to occupy five positions north of the Israeli line of withdrawal from Lebanon in 2006, known as the Blue Line.

France is proposing that the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL), including the French contingent, take up the five positions to replace Israeli forces.

Stressing that the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces "is an important step in implementing the commitments made in the context" of the ceasefire agreement, the ministry said that its proposal can "guarantee the security of the populations there."

The country also welcomed the redeployment of the Lebanese Army in Southern Lebanon, which it said would allow the forces to decontaminate territory ceded by Israeli occupation forces.

"France reiterates its support for the action of UNIFIL and recalls its essential role in the security of the region," the statement concluded.

Lebanese troika seeks UNSC backing for Israeli withdrawal

Earlier on Tuesday, President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed Lebanon's full commitment to Resolution 1701, despite ongoing Israeli violations.

A statement released on behalf of the top Lebanese officials emphasized the necessity for Israeli forces to fully withdraw from South Lebanon as mandated by the ceasefire agreement.

The presidency's statement referenced the joint declaration by the American and French presidents before the ceasefire decision, in which both parties affirmed their collaboration with "Israel" to fully implement United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701.

It further said that Lebanon will seek the UNSC to compel the occupation to abide by the resolution. The attendees also discussed the presence of the occupation in the South, and that Lebanon is committed to regaining full control over its land by all means.