JAKARTA - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed the importance of withdrawing Israeli troops from southern Lebanon within a deadline set by the ceasefire agreement.
His remarks were made during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on Friday (17/1), the Lebanese National News Agency reported.
Aoun highlighted the importance of strengthening a ceasefire that came into force on November 27, 2024, and ensured Israel withdrew from occupied territory within 60 days.
The Lebanese president also called for the release of Lebanese prisoners detained by Israel and the reconstruction of villages destroyed by Israel's latest aggression.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is required to withdraw its troops to the south of the Blue Line on the de facto region in stages, while Lebanese troops will be deployed to southern Lebanon within 60 days.
Data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health shows that since Israel's attack on Lebanon began on October 8, 2023, at least 4,068 people have died, including women, children, and health workers, while 16,670 others were injured.
However, Lebanese authorities reported that there had been more than 564 ceasefire violations by Israel, which left 37 people dead and 45 others injured.
In talks with Macron, Aoun also urged French energy company Total to continue oil exploration in Lebanese offshore blocks.
In addition, the Lebanese president expressed interest in attending the EU summit scheduled to take place in March 2025 in response to an invitation from the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration, Nikos Christodoulides, who visited Beirut on January 10.
Aoun expressed his gratitude to Macron for France's efforts to help Lebanon, including through the work of special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and Committee Quintet, in completing the prolonged vacancy of presidential positions and facilitating his election after more than two years of political stalemate.
The Lebanese parliament elected Aoun as president on January 9. Four days later, he appointed judge Nawaf Salam to form a new government.
Macron's visit was the first head of state visit to Lebanon since Aoun was elected.
The French president also held a separate meeting with Interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Elected Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
In an official statement, the French presidency said that the visit was aimed at supporting Lebanon's sovereignty, prosperity and unity.
France played an important role in the Quintet Committee overseeing the implementation of a ceasefire involving the United States, Lebanon, Israel, and the UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL).
France also has close historical ties to Lebanon, which is rooted in its mandate over the country from 1920 to 1943.
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