Lebanese president urges continued international presence in south Lebanon during 2027, warns of security vacuum

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for the continued presence of international forces to carry out their security duties in southern Lebanon during 2027, the scheduled year for their withdrawal, or for an alternative arrangement that ensures an international presence to prevent a security vacuum. He welcomed any French initiative at the United Nations and Security Council to support this approach.

During a meeting with a French ministerial delegation led by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barou, Aoun stressed that the ongoing Israeli occupation and tensions in the south prevent the Lebanese Army from deploying to the southern international border, as stipulated by UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Aoun condemned the continued Israeli attacks on southern villages and towns, including bulldozing, destroying homes, preventing farmers from accessing their land, and failing to comply with the terms of the US-brokered framework agreement.

He noted that a Lebanese military delegation will participate in the upcoming tripartite meeting in Tampa on October 20 to present Lebanon's demands regarding halting Israeli escalation, expressing hope that the meetings will yield results in line with the framework agreement.

Aoun also affirmed that the Lebanese Army and security forces are implementing government decisions to extend state authority, prevent armed displays, and confiscate weapons and ammunition, adding that violators are being referred to the judiciary to enforce the law and political decisions.

He emphasized that strengthening and equipping the army is essential for enabling it and the security forces to fulfill their assigned tasks. He expressed hope that an international conference to support the army and Internal Security Forces would be held soon, especially after the positive atmosphere at last month's preparatory meeting in Paris.

For his part, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barou, who conveyed greetings from President Emmanuel Macron to Aoun, reaffirmed France's continued support for Lebanon in cooperation with European partners. He stressed France's steadfast commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty, stability, and security, and to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement of June 26, 2026, and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Barou explained that France supports establishing a new international framework to bolster Lebanon's sovereignty, redeploy the Lebanese Armed Forces, and avoid a security vacuum that could have serious consequences. He confirmed France's readiness to play its full role in this regard.

He also emphasized the importance of advancing essential reforms to revive Lebanon, affirming France's readiness to mobilize resources and respond to urgent humanitarian needs in the country.

At the start of the meeting, Aoun thanked President Emmanuel Macron for his decision to resume French commercial flights to Beirut, his support for the inclusion of the ports of Beirut and Tripoli in the IMEC Ports Club economic corridor, and for France's role in establishing a European mission to advise and assist the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces for three years.