President Joseph Aoun assured UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday that Lebanon’s disarmament plan is “ready for implementation but has been obstructed by ongoing Israeli strikes.”
During their meeting in New York, Aoun expressed gratitude for Guterres’ role in renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He stressed that the Lebanese Army is fulfilling its responsibilities south of the Litani River and stands prepared to complete its deployment once Israel withdraws.
For his part, Guterres commended Aoun and the Lebanese government for ensuring that the state maintains its own armed forces “despite the difficulties.” He underlined that UNIFIL’s continued presence reflects the UN’s commitment to stability in southern Lebanon and provides Beirut the necessary time to extend its army’s deployment to Lebanon’s recognized borders.
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