Lebanese Army ready to fulfill its duties in South: Mikati
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Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Mikati affirmed the army’s readiness to carry out its duties and highlighted the importance of "Israel’s" withdrawal from Lebanese territories, while MP Ali Fayyad emphasized the Resistance's priority to avoid military escalation.
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Caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, tours Lebanese Army positions in the south of the country on December 23, 2024. (Social media)
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati emphasized on Monday that "the Lebanese Army has never shirked its duties," noting that "Lebanon is facing a difficult test, and the army will prove its ability to carry out all the tasks required of it."
In a speech delivered at the army barracks in Marjayoun during his southern tour today, Mikati stated, "We will hold a meeting with the committee overseeing the ceasefire, and we have many tasks ahead, the most important being the enemy’s withdrawal from all the territories it infiltrated during its recent aggression. At that point, the army will carry out its full duties."
He added, "The army has always proven that it represents the unity of this country and fulfills its duties. All Lebanese are with the army and support it."
In this context, MP Ali Fayyad, from the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc in the Lebanese Parliament, confirmed earlier to Al Mayadeen that the current situation calls for caution, and that the Resistance will not be drawn into a military confrontation over Israeli violations and encroachments.
Its priority is the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese land, without providing any excuse for exceeding the 60-day deadline.
Seven detained by 'Israel' handed over to UNIFIL
Seven individuals detained by "Israel" were handed over to United Nations peacekeepers at the Lebanese border on Sunday, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency.
"The Israeli enemy handed over seven freed citizens, who were detained by the enemy after the ceasefire," the NNA reported, adding that the exchange occurred at Ras al-Naqoura and involved coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
After the transfer, the Lebanese Red Cross, alongside the International Committee of the Red Cross, transported the individuals to a hospital for medical examinations.
They were later taken to a military intelligence office in Sidon for further investigation, according to the NNA.
The handover came after a ceasefire agreement was reached on November 27. Under the truce, the Lebanese Army is tasked with deploying in the South alongside UN peacekeepers, while "Israel" is expected to withdraw its forces within 60 days.
Hezbollah, in turn, is required to move its troops north of the Litani River and dismantle its military infrastructure in the region.
Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high amid frequent violations carried out by "Israel". On Sunday, the NNA accused "Israel" of bombing the village of Kfar Kila and destroying houses in the Bint Jbeil area, calling it part of "repeated attacks on occupied southern villages."
UNIFIL confirmed its role in facilitating the handover of the seven individuals but did not comment on the ongoing Israeli violations.
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