During a meeting with US Senator Ronny Jackson, the head of state renewed the national position on the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories and the return of Lebanese detainees.

At the Presidential Palace in Baabda, the president stressed that Israel, by continuing its occupation of five points along the border, violates the ceasefire agreement.

Aoun called on the sponsoring countries, particularly the United States, to put pressure on Tel Aviv to fully comply with the cessation of hostilities.

The president rejected any claim of leniency on the part of the Lebanese Army in the application of the agreed terms.

For his part, Jackson said he would work with the US president and other senators and representatives to provide the necessary material and logistical support to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Yesterday, in another meeting with an American delegation, headed by Congressman Darrell Issa, the Lebanese president asked Washington to pressure Israel to completely withdraw from the south of the country.

On Tuesday, at the conclusion of the deadline for their withdrawal from southern Lebanon, Israeli forces left the towns of Yaroun, Maroun al-Ras, Blida, Mays al-Jabal, Houla, Markaba, Odaisseh, Kfar Kila and al-Wazzani, but maintained their presence in five strategic locations along the border.

As part of its commitments to the agreement and the national security strategy, the Lebanese army completed the deployment of its units in the area and accompanied residents in their return to the southern border villages.

Following the partial Israeli withdrawal, the highest authorities in Lebanon renewed their commitment to Resolution 1701 and considered the continued enemy presence in any centimeter of national territory as an occupation, with all the legal consequences that derive from it in accordance with international legitimacy.

ef/jcm/yma