BEIRUT, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday called on the United States and the international community to pressure Israel to halt its attacks in southern Lebanon and withdraw from occupied areas, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy along the border.
During a meeting with five French lawmakers at the presidential palace in Baabda, Aoun said Israeli forces continued to bomb, destroy, and bulldoze villages and towns in southern Lebanon, in violation of the framework agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel under U.S. auspices.
According to a statement released by the Lebanese presidency, Aoun expressed hope that international pressure would lead to an end to the attacks, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of detainees, the reconstruction of damaged areas, and the return of displaced residents to their homes.
Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to maintaining the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the south, or replacing it with European forces that could form the nucleus of a broader force from friendly countries to help maintain security and stability in the region.
Aoun also said the Lebanese state was working with humanitarian organizations, UNIFIL, and the Lebanese army to provide healthcare, education, and food supplies to residents who remained in border villages despite the Israeli occupation.
The French delegation said it had visited Marjeyoun and neighboring villages, where its members met residents and students to learn about their living conditions and needs.
During the meeting, Aoun also thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for France's continued support for Lebanon and said Beirut was working toward a strategic partnership with the European Union. ■
