Lebanon calls for full Israeli withdrawal from south

BEIRUT

Lebanon called on Tuesday for full Israeli troop withdrawal from its territory in the south under a ceasefire agreement, which set Tuesday as the deadline for Israel withdrawal.

President Joseph Aoun held talks with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss Israeli violations of the ceasefire deal, a statement from the presidency said.

The talks came shortly after the Israeli army withdrew from southern Lebanese towns, but remained in five border outposts in violation of the ceasefire deal. Under a ceasefire deal with Beirut, Israel was supposed to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Tuesday, Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply.

Lebanese officials called for “a complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories, in compliance with international charters and laws, and UN resolutions, including Resolution 1701,” the statement said.

They also underlined that the Lebanese army is “fully ready and prepared to assume all its duties on the recognized international borders in a way that preserves national sovereignty, protects the people of southern Lebanon, and ensures their security and stability."

Resolution 1701 mandates a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and establishes a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line, a de facto border, and the Litani River, with exceptions for the Lebanese army and UNIFIL peacekeeping forces.

They urged the UN Security Council “to enforce Resolution 1701 and compel Israel’s immediate withdrawal," calling any Israeli military presence in Lebanon “an occupation, with legal consequences under international law."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the five outposts a "buffer zone" to protect Israeli settlements against Hezbollah attacks.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since Nov. 27, ending months of mutual shelling between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has still committed nearly 1,000 violations, killing and injuring dozens in Lebanon, including women and children.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar