Aoun accuses Israel of refusing to implement agreement

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for diplomacy to resolve the conflict with Israel during talks with European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas in Beirut. His office quoted him as saying that “negotiation is an alternative to war and agreement is the only means to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel”. Aoun said the Lebanese army “is fully performing its duty in the areas where it is deployed south of the Litani in implementation of the ‘Framework Agreement,’ while Israel still refuses to implement its provisions”. He also emphasised the “interconnection between Lebanon’s stability and the stability of Europe and the region”. According to the presidency, Kallas said the EU “is ready to provide the necessary assistance to Lebanon, especially to the army, the Internal Security Forces and the entities concerned with social and humanitarian aspects”. The precarious ceasefire halted the fiercest fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel continues to violate the truce and occupy parts of southern Lebanon.