Aoun Asks Rubio to Pressure Israel to Halt Aggression in South Lebanon

Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun discussed, in a phone call on Thursday evening, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio the general situation in Lebanon and the region in light of recent developments.

According to a statement by the Lebanese Presidency, President Aoun asked Secretary Rubio to pressure Israel to halt aggression in the south, comply with the provisions of the framework agreement, cease excavation activities, enable farmers to access their fields without harassment.

President Aoun affirmed to Secretary Rubio that the army and security forces are fully performing their duties in implementing decisions related to preventing armed manifestations, confiscating weapons and ammunition, combating smuggling, and the measures recorded in the past few days fall within this context.

He noted that judicial authorities are following up on all files referred to them and there will be no leniency towards perpetrators, stressing that laws will be applied without any favoritism.

The call comes in the context of security agencies seizing a large shipment of explosives belonging to "Hezbollah" in the Dahr al-Baydar area. Hezbollah had acknowledged ownership of the seized explosives shipment and vehicle, demanding the immediate release of detainees and return of materials. Party leaders considered the security and government measures invalid and subject to American demands.