The Lebanese President: We want to extend UNIFIL in any form that guarantees an international presence in the south of the country

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Today, Saturday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a French ministerial delegation headed by the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot.

Aoun thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his decision to return French commercial aviation to Beirut, his support for the ports of Beirut and Tripoli to join the “IMEC Ports Club,” and his role in establishing a European mission to provide advice and support to the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces for a period of three years.

In the meeting, the Lebanese President denounced Israel's continued attacks on southern villages and towns, bulldozing and destroying homes, preventing farmers from reaching their lands, and its failure to adhere to the terms of the framework agreement reached under American auspices.

Aoun explained that the continued occupation and tension in the south prevented the Lebanese army from being able to deploy to the southern international border, in implementation of Resolution 1701.

Aoun indicated that the Lebanese military delegation will participate in the tripartite meeting in Tampa on October 20, to put Lebanese demands to stop the Israeli escalation on the table, in the hope of achieving results consistent with the framework agreement.

The President said that Lebanon desires an extension for the international forces or their continuation of their security missions during the year 2027 specified for their withdrawal, and welcomes, if this is not possible, any formula that guarantees an international presence in the south, prevents a vacuum, and puts the Lebanese army in contact with the Israeli army in the occupied territories.

The President welcomed any French effort within the United Nations and the Security Council to reach a formula consistent with the Lebanese desire to prevent any vacuum.

Aoun stressed that the army and other security forces are implementing the government’s decisions regarding extending state authority, preventing armed demonstrations, and confiscating weapons and ammunition, and violators are referred to the judiciary, which carries out its duty to implement the laws and decisions of the political authority.

The President said that strengthening the army and equipping it with the necessary equipment is essential to enable it and other security forces to carry out the tasks assigned to them, and he hoped that the international conference to support the army and internal security forces would be held soon, especially after the positive atmosphere of the preparatory conference in Paris last month.

For his part, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot conveyed during the meeting the greetings of President Emmanuel Macron and his affirmation that France stands by Lebanon and continues to provide support to it in all fields, in cooperation with European partners.

He stressed France's unwavering support for Lebanon's sovereignty, stability and security, and is committed to working to fully implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement concluded on June 26, 2026 and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Barrow stressed the necessity of establishing a new international structure to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and support the redeployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and to avoid the emergence of a security vacuum that could have serious consequences, and France is ready to play its full role in this framework.

He stressed the importance of moving forward with implementing the basic reforms necessary for the country’s advancement, and France’s readiness to mobilize its capabilities and respond to emergency humanitarian needs in Lebanon.