Aoun, Berri, Salam say Lebanon to resort to Security Council to force Israel to fully withdraw

A statement issued Tuesday by President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said “Lebanon has the right to use all means” to secure Israel's full withdrawal from south Lebanon, after Israeli forces withdrew from southern border towns but retained five strategic hills near the frontier.

Condemning Israel’s presence on Lebanon’s soil as "occupation," the three leaders said the Lebanese Army is ready "to assume all its duties along the... border."

Lebanon would also seek the U.N. Security Council’s help to "address Israeli violations and compel Israel to immediately withdraw," the statement added.