Beirut, April 14 (Petra) -- Stability will not return to southern Lebanon as long as Israel continues to occupy Lebanese territory, President Joseph Aoun said on Tuesday, insisting that the national military must be the sole authority responsible for security along the frontier.

During a meeting with General Luciano Portolano, Chief of Defense of Staff the Italian Armed Forces, Aoun emphasized that a sustainable solution requires the Lebanese Army to redeploy up to the internationally recognized borders. He stated that the military must serve as the "only entity responsible for the security of the region and the safety of its residents, without partnership from any other party." The President’s remarks come as Lebanon prepares for the scheduled withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of 2027.

Aoun welcomed Italy’s expressed desire to maintain units of its forces in southern Lebanon beyond the UNIFIL mandate. He noted that a specific legal framework would need to be negotiated to govern the presence of Italian troops and other international contingents that have pledged continued support to the Lebanese Army in maintaining regional stability.

The meeting highlights Lebanon's ongoing efforts to secure international military assistance and training as it seeks to assert full state authority over its southern territories following decades of cross-border conflict.

//Petra// AF