Aoun tells Ortagus south stability linked to Israeli pullout

President Joseph Aoun on Friday told the visiting Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus that “permanent stability in the South hinges on completing Israel’s withdrawal from the territory that it occupied during the last war, and the implementation of Resolution 1701 with all its terms, including the requirements of the Nov. 27 agreement.”

“The release of Lebanese (Hezbollah) captives is also considered an integral part of this agreement,” Aoun added, stressing that “the Israeli attacks must stop, including the killing of innocents and soldiers, the destruction of homes and the bulldozing and torching of agricultural land.”

“The Lebanese Army is ready to deploy in the towns and villages from which the Israeli forces withdraw and the pullout must be finalized prior to the Feb. 18 deadline,” the president told Ortagus.

He also told her that “the consultations to form the new government are nearing their conclusion” and that “the government will enjoy harmony and the ability to fulfill the aspirations and hopes of the Lebanese, in line with what was mentioned in the (president’s) inaugural speech.”