Aoun meets with Haykal to discuss implementation of framework agreement with Israel
President Joseph Aoun met with the army’s commander-in-chief, General Rodolph Haykal, to discuss the security situation in Lebanon and particularly in the South, as well as preparations for the implementation of the framework agreement with Israel, whilst Israeli attacks on several villages and towns in southern Lebanon continue.
“The discussions focused on the ongoing preparations for the implementation of the provisions set out in the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel [mediated by the U.S.], in the designated pilot areas, where the Lebanese Army is due to deploy simultaneously with the withdrawal of Israeli forces,” the Presidency stated on X.
Under the framework agreement reached between the two countries during the fifth round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, the Lebanese Army is to deploy in two “pilot zones,” located around Froun (Bint Jbeil, in the central sector) and the villages of Zawtar (eastern sector, north of the Litani River), in parallel with the Israeli withdrawal, and dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure there.
On Thursday, during a meeting with the U.S. ambassador, Michel Issa, President Aoun had emphasized the need to “consolidate the ‘cease-fire’ in southern Lebanon and put pressure on Israel to end its military operations and comply with the provisions” of the framework agreement. He had also called on Israel to “put an end to the bombings and demolition operations” in the occupied towns of the South.
Beirut had demanded that Israel withdraw from two “pilot zones” in the south of the country before taking part in the next round of talks with Tel Aviv, scheduled for 15 and 16 July in Rome. And according to a U.S. official, the first “pilot zone” in Lebanon will be launched in the coming days.