Lebanese Leader Calls for End to Ceasefire Breaches as US Confirms Israeli Pullout
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Beirut, Jan 7 (NationPress) Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged that Israel put an end to its breaches of the ceasefire agreement as Israeli troops continued their exit from southern Lebanon.
Mikati emphasized on Monday, during a meeting with visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein, the necessity to halt the Israeli security violations of the ceasefire, the persistent assaults on southern towns, the systematic demolition of homes and infrastructure, and the infringement of Lebanese airspace.
He also insisted on establishing a precise timeline for the completion of the Israeli withdrawal before the end of the stipulated 60 days in the agreement, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Following discussions with Mikati and Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri, Hochstein stated that the Israeli withdrawal would persist until all Israeli forces had vacated Lebanese land.
“The Israel Defense Forces commenced their withdrawal today from Naqoura, primarily from the western sector, and are moving back into Israel south of the blue line. These withdrawals will progress until all Israeli forces exit Lebanon entirely, while the Lebanese army continues its deployment in the south and along the Blue Line,” Hochstein declared in a televised statement.
Hochstein indicated that the committee responsible for monitoring the ceasefire would keep working over the next 20 days regarding the Israeli pullout and the deployment of the Lebanese army, in collaboration with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
“I anticipate significant progress in the upcoming days,” Hochstein remarked, adding, “Implementation may not occur as swiftly as some desire. However, what I observed in Naqoura today gives me optimism that we are on the right path.”
A ceasefire negotiated by the US and France came into effect on November 27, 2024, aiming to bring an end to nearly 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to the agreement, Israel is required to withdraw from Lebanese territory within 60 days, while the Lebanese army is tasked with deploying along the Lebanese-Israeli border and in southern Lebanon to take on security responsibilities and prevent the presence of weapons and militants.
