Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed the importance of the Lebanese army's return along the border, and the importance of pressuring Israel to withdraw from the areas it occupies in Lebanon, "because the continuation of the occupation undermines the state's legitimacy and prevents the army's deployment, and the foundations for achieving a just and lasting peace."

He said: "The Lebanese army and security forces are the cornerstone of stability and security in the south, and the return of residents to their areas and homes." He affirmed that there is no place for civil war in Lebanon, and that its return to the scene is not on the table, despite all the attempts made by some to stir up sedition.

Aoun's position came during a video call with the "Task Force for Lebanon," where he thanked them for their constant support for Lebanon and its people, and for their efforts to strengthen Lebanon's sovereignty and independence. He asked for their support for the framework formula reached with Israel under American sponsorship, in order to implement the provisions contained therein, especially regarding sovereignty and the extension of the Lebanese state's authority with its forces over all territories.

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President Aoun reviewed the situation between Lebanon and Israel since 1949 and the military confrontations that occurred since then, passing through 1969 and the Cairo Agreement, up to the present reality.

Fears of Israeli intransigence

He also pointed out that the option of negotiation was the only one left after war failed to achieve the goals for which it was declared, and affirmed that unless Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory, and if Israeli intransigence continues to remain on these lands, the situation will not serve the goals set by the United States and Lebanon regarding the restoration of this country's sovereignty, independence, and the strength of its institutions.

He stressed that the US administration must pressure for Israeli withdrawal, because it is the key to any real, tangible, and realistic progress on the path to peace in Lebanon, and to ensuring security and stability on the southern Lebanese border. He considered that the Lebanese army and security forces are the cornerstone of stability and security in the south, and the return of residents to their areas and homes.

He explained that the suspension of lawsuits between Israel and Lebanon is limited to the negotiation period, and does not mean a complete abandonment of these lawsuits.

Berri praises border villages and towns

Meanwhile, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri praised the positions of the heads of municipal councils in the border villages and towns of southern Lebanon, especially the Christian ones, which refuted the claims of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the desire of the towns' residents to join Israel.

In a press statement today, Berri appreciated "the content of the statements and positions issued by the heads of municipal councils and spiritual figures in the border villages and towns, especially the Christian ones in the districts of Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil, and most recently what was issued by the municipality of Rmeish, which refused, denied, and refuted the false allegations made by Netanyahu about the desire of the residents of these villages to join Israel," as he put it.

Berri affirmed that "the positions of the residents and figures of those villages, their steadfastness there, and their adherence to their land and identity reflect the authenticity of their genuine national belonging, which they will not compromise under any circumstances."

He warned against "the danger of falling into the lies and falsehoods promoted by Israeli political levels, which involve seditious agendas aimed at causing discord among the people of the border areas, whose concern, wound, hope, and pain have been and will remain one: ending the war, liberating the land, returning to it, and rebuilding what the Israeli aggression has destroyed and continues to destroy daily."

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