Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) meets with visiting US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, (C) and US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, on April 5, 2025.
Beirut, April 5 (RHC)-- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on the United States to pile pressure on Israel to halt its attacks against the Arab nation and cease its recurrent violations of a ceasefire agreement that went into effect more than four months ago.
Aoun made the appeal during a meeting with visiting US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on Saturday. The Lebanese president emphasized that even though his country is standing fiercely committed to the ceasefire deal, the Tel Aviv regime is pressing ahead with its violations, which have resulted in the deaths of dozens of victims and injuries to hundreds of others.
After enduring substantial losses over almost 14 months of conflict and not achieving its aims in the offensive against Lebanon, Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The ceasefire was implemented on November 27.
Since the initiation of the agreement, the occupying forces have been conducting attacks on Lebanon, violating the ceasefire, which encompasses airstrikes across the Arab nation.
On January 27, Lebanon declared its decision to prolong the ceasefire with Israel until February 18. Despite the February 18th deadline having passed, Israel persists in its occupation of five critical areas in southern Lebanon, which include Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, located near the border.
According to Lebanon’s Presidency, Aoun and Ortagus also exchanged viewpoints on key regional and domestic issues, including the status quo in southern Lebanon, the work of the international committee monitoring the ceasefire agreement with Israel, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The talks also addressed the security situation along the border between Lebanon and Syria, coordination efforts between the two countries, financial and economic reforms, and the Lebanese government’s continued efforts to combat corruption.
A positive and constructive tone purportedly marked the meeting. Ortagus later met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and held talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri later in the day.
[ SOURCE: PRESS TV and NEWS AGENCIES ]
