As part of his tour, the French Foreign Minister and General Aoun assessed the scenario on the southern border, following the persistent Israeli aggression and the response of the Lebanese Resistance (Hezbollah).
On the occasion, the parties emphasized the importance of supporting the army given its role in protecting Lebanon’s security and stability and cooperation with the United Nations Interim Force (Unifil) in accordance with Resolution 1701.
Incidentally, Séjourné discussed with the Head of Mission and Unifil commander, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazaro, the current situation and France’s contribution with nearly 700 blue helmets working to restore security and stability along the withdrawal line.
In his first activity in Beirut, the French representative spoke with the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, who reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the full implementation of Resolution 1701.
Receiving the Paris representative and his delegation, the head of the unicameral Lebanese legislature presented a map showing the extent of human and material losses caused by Israeli bombardments, the damage to agricultural and forestry areas, as well as the use by Tel Aviv forces of internationally banned weapons.
In this regard, the parliamentary leader stressed to Séjourné that Lebanon looks forward to receiving the French proposal aimed at reducing hostility in the nation, stopping the fighting and implementing the UN resolution, in preparation for studying it and responding to it.
During his stay in Lebanon, the French minister will also hold talks with the head of the incumbent government, Najib Mikati, and his counterpart, Abdullah Bou Habib.
Restoring stability on the Lebanese front and the power vacuum in the first presidency of the Republic will be at the center of Séjourné’s discussions with the Lebanese authorities.
In light of the Western diplomatic move, Hezbollah deputy secretary general Naim Qassem stressed yesterday that the initiatives discussed on the issue of Lebanon and the south are unfeasible if they are not based on a definitive cessation of aggression in Gaza, “because that is where the solution comes from”.
On this point, he reiterated that the Resistance is with Palestine, not with Israel, therefore, the war must be stopped first in Gaza and then the front in Lebanon will end. Since the issuance of provision 1701 in August 2006, the country’s sovereignty has been violated by Israel on more than 30,000 occasions by land, sea and air, the Levantine authorities have repeatedly denounced.
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