On Tuesday, as Israeli forces had yet to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon, a statement from the Lebanese presidency called for Israel’s complete withdrawal from the country.
Following a meeting in Baabda, President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berry, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued a statement reaffirming "the necessity of Israel’s withdrawal from all Lebanese territory" and affirming that the Lebanese army is fully prepared to carry out its missions. They emphasized the central role of the armed forces in preserving national sovereignty and protecting border communities.
The statement also underscored Lebanon’s commitment to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, "while Israel continues to violate this agreement." In response to Israel’s failure to fulfill its obligations, the leaders decided to take the matter to the UN Security Council—the body that adopted Resolution 1701—to address Israel’s violations and demand its withdrawal to internationally recognized borders.
According to the statement, Paragraph 12 of the ceasefire agreement (which ended the war between Israel and Hezbollah) clearly stipulates that the agreement must be fully implemented within a maximum of 60 days.
The three leaders also confirmed the continuation of negotiations with the international monitoring commission and the International Committee of the Red Cross for the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel, asserting Lebanon’s right to use all means necessary to secure Israel’s withdrawal.
Israeli Statements on the Matter
Israel’s foreign minister, according to Israeli media, stated that "if Lebanon adheres to the agreement, our presence in the five positions will not be necessary."
He also claimed that "Iran is making significant efforts to bolster Hezbollah by providing financial support."
UN: "Any Delay" in Israeli Withdrawal Violates Resolution 1701
The United Nations warned on Tuesday that any delay in Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon would constitute a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which served as the basis for the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on November 27.
"Today marks the deadline for the Israeli army’s withdrawal... and the parallel deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in positions across southern Lebanon," read a joint statement by the UN envoy to Lebanon and UN peacekeepers. "Any further delay in this process is not what we had hoped for, especially as it continues to violate UN Security Council Resolution 1701."
On Monday, the Israeli army announced that its forces would remain stationed at five strategic positions in southern Lebanon despite the deadline for withdrawal set for Tuesday. Initially scheduled for January 26, the deadline had already been postponed to February 18.
Under the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States last November—following the war between Israel and Hezbollah—Israel had 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon, where it had been conducting a ground offensive since October. According to the agreement, Hezbollah fighters were also required to pull back from the area, allowing for the deployment of the Lebanese army.
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