Lebanese leaders urge US action as Israel violates ceasefire
Iran Press TV
Wednesday, 20 August 2025 6:38 PM
Lebanon's president and prime minister urged US senators in Beirut on Wednesday to press Israel into a full withdrawal from the south.
During a meeting with the US delegation in Beirut, President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reiterated the call for a full Israeli withdrawal, an end to attacks inside Lebanon, and the release of Lebanese prisoners.
They told Republican senators Markwayne Mullin and Joni Ernst that Washington should press Israel to halt its occupation of the country.
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire that took effect on November 27, 2024. Under the deal, Tel Aviv was required to withdraw fully from Lebanese territory, but it has kept forces stationed at five sites and continued its strikes in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the terms of the agreement.
Last month, Hezbollah said the US was pushing for a new deal in Lebanon that would begin with the resistance movement's disarmament in exchange for only a "partial" Israeli withdrawal from the south.
Hezbollah has consistently warned that disarming the resistance movement would pave the way for further Israeli expansion into Lebanese territory.
Asked about Hezbollah's disarmament, US Special Envoy Tom Barrack, who met Lebanon's top officials in Beirut, said on Monday that the issue falls under Lebanon's sovereignty.
"We are not considering issuing any threats. Dealing with Hezbollah is a Lebanese procedure, and our role has been advisory," he claimed.
Barrack also said it is now Israel's turn to comply with the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
