Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday said efforts were ongoing to consolidate the ceasefire in southern Lebanon as part of steps aimed at restoring stability in the region.
According to a statement from the presidency, Aoun said the process would be followed by the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas, the deployment of the Lebanese army, the return of displaced residents, the release of detainees and the commencement of reconstruction efforts.
The president made the remarks during a meeting with a visiting British parliamentary delegation at the presidential palace in Baabda.
Aoun said ongoing Lebanese-U.S.-Israeli discussions in Washington were addressing key issues, including security arrangements needed to maintain stability in southern Lebanon.
He also called for continued British support for Lebanon, particularly assistance to the Lebanese army through funding, training programmes and the construction of observation towers.
The Lebanese leader expressed hope that the international community would support maintaining a foreign presence in southern Lebanon after the planned withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the beginning of 2027.
He added that some European countries had shown interest in keeping troops in the area under a new legal framework.
On relations with neighbouring Syria, Aoun said coordination between both countries was continuing.
Source: NAN
