President Aoun Requests Decisive US Intervention: Pressure Israel!

Republic President Joseph Aoun received US Congress members Darin LaHood and Josh Gottheimer, along with their accompanying delegation. He stated: "Lebanon attaches great importance to the United States pressuring Israel to compel it to implement the framework agreement, as it still refuses to abide by the agreement's provisions despite Lebanon's full commitment to its application." He emphasized the "necessity of halting demolition, excavation, and destruction operations in the southern villages occupied by Israel."

He also indicated that "activating the framework agreement requires working swiftly to complete the return of Lebanese prisoners, correct disputed points along the Blue Line, gradually withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, and deploy the army therein up to the internationally recognized southern borders. Any delay in Israel's implementation of the framework agreement will keep tension in the south, prevent the state from extending its authority over all its southern territories, remove armed manifestations, and allow southern displaced persons to return to their villages and towns. It also requires providing the necessary resources for the Lebanese Army so it can extend state authority given the extensive tasks it performs outside the south, including counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling, securing eastern and northern borders, maintaining civil peace, protecting institutions, and other duties undertaken by the army."

President Aoun added that "the government is committed to implementing financial, economic, and judicial reforms. Several reform laws have been issued, most notably the law amending the banking secrecy law, the bank restructuring law, the media law, and others. Work is ongoing to complete the reform journey."

In turn, US Congress member Darin LaHood noted that he highly appreciates "what President Aoun is doing to preserve Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the extension of state authority," praising "the results achieved following his meeting with US President Donald Trump during his very successful visit."
He also viewed that "Lebanon faces an opportunity to restore stability to itself and the entire region, which must not be squandered."