Macron assures Lebanon's Aoun of ongoing talks to maintain ceasefire

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Jan 2025 23:41
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During a phone call with the Lebanese President, Macron emphasizes his commitment to maintaining the ceasefire and advancing the agreement’s full implementation.

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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, right, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron after their news conference at the presidential palace in Baabda, in the east of Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 (AP)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun continued his intensive discussions and consultations on Saturday to address the situation in South Lebanon following significant developments and continuous violations by "Israel", the country's National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Aoun received a call from French President Emmanuel Macron in the afternoon in which the two leaders discussed the unfolding events in the south, ongoing efforts to contain the escalation, and potential measures to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement with "Israel" and prevent further tensions, NNA mentioned.

According to the news agency, Macron emphasized his commitment to maintaining the ceasefire and advancing the agreement’s full implementation through continued diplomatic engagement.

During the call, Aoun underscored the importance of compelling "Israel" to adhere to the terms of the agreement to safeguard stability in South Lebanon and halt its repeated violations, including the destruction of villages near the southern border and the bulldozing of lands, which obstruct the return of displaced residents to their homes, NNA said.

Macron, who was in Lebanon last week, called for the "accelerated" implementation of the ceasefire between Lebanon and "Israel".

Earlier on Saturday, the Lebanese army announced its readiness to deploy forces in southern Lebanon, accusing the Israeli occupation of "delaying" its withdrawal ahead of a deadline set for the following day.

In a statement, the army said, "There has been a delay at a number of stages as a result of the procrastination in the withdrawal from the Israeli enemy's side," confirming it was "ready to continue its deployment as soon as the Israeli enemy withdraws."

The statement urged people to "be cautious in heading back to the southern border areas, due to the presence of mines and suspicious objects left behind" by Israeli forces.

Israeli forces to remain in Lebanon beyond Jan 26 deadline: Netanyahu

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that "Israel" will not meet the 60-day deadline for its full withdrawal from southern Lebanon, set for Sunday, January 26, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.

In the first public acknowledgment of the delay, following weeks of speculation, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement explaining that the Israeli military's withdrawal process "is conditional on the Lebanese Army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, while Hezbollah withdraws beyond the Litani.”

Netanyahu alleged that since Lebanon "has not yet fully enforced" its obligations under the ceasefire, "the phased withdrawal process will continue," further claiming "full coordination with the United States."

The premier claimed that the terms of the agreement were drafted "with the understanding that the withdrawal process may continue beyond 60 days."

Meanwhile, the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on November 27 and ended the two-month war, specifies that the withdrawal "should not exceed 60 days."

Currently, the Israeli occupation military remains deployed in several villages in southern Lebanon, primarily in the eastern sector. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Armed Forces have taken control of villages in the western sector as the occupation forces have begun their pullback.

Under the ceasefire agreement, the Lebanese Army is required to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon as the Israeli military completes its withdrawal over a 60-day period.

Hezbollah is obligated to pull its forces back north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.

A committee consisting of delegates from "Israel", Lebanon, France, the United States, and a representative from the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, has been established to monitor and address any violations of the ceasefire.

It is noteworthy that the UN peacekeeping force has reported multiple instances of Israeli violations of the ceasefire terms.