At a time when field and political pressures are mounting on the Lebanese-Israeli negotiation path, Beirut renewed its adherence to the path that was launched under American sponsorship, stressing that any Israeli steps towards establishing a long-term military presence in the south contradict the “framework agreement,” amid a clear Lebanese demand to implement the obligations related to the withdrawal and stop military operations.
In this context, Information Minister Paul Morcos confirmed, in an interview with Al Arabiya yesterday, Thursday, that the Lebanese state is committed to the path of negotiations with Israel, stressing the importance of continuing negotiations within the existing understandings.
Morcos said that the statements of Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz regarding keeping Israeli forces in areas inside southern Lebanon contradict the commitment to the “Framework Agreement,” at a time when the southern regions are still witnessing Israeli military operations.
He pointed out that Israeli operations also focus on bulldozing and destroying areas in southern cities and towns, under the pretext of targeting tunnels and military structures. Morcos’ positions come in conjunction with the continued widespread damage that affected towns and regions in southern Lebanon during Israeli operations.
The Lebanese position came after a tour conducted by Katz, on Wednesday, in areas controlled by the Israeli army inside southern Lebanon, where he announced that Israeli forces will remain in what Israel calls “security areas” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, and he instructed the army to prepare for what he described as a long-term presence.
Katz’s statements raised an American objection, as a US State Department official confirmed that Washington expects all parties to act in accordance with the agreed upon framework, stressing that the permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon is not consistent with the obligations contained in the agreement nor with peace and security in the long term.
In Beirut, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam rejected Katz’s statements “entirely and in detail,” considering that they contradict the content of the “Framework Agreement.” He also welcomed the American position rejecting the establishment of a permanent Israeli military presence on Lebanese territory.
Later, Katz modified his position, linking the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south to the issue of disarming the party, after his previous statements had suggested that the forces could remain for an indefinite period, following direct American criticism of his position.
On June 26, Lebanon and Israel had reached, under American auspices, a “framework agreement” linking the gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory to security steps that include the deployment of the Lebanese army and addressing the issue of weapons of non-state groups, with procedures to begin in experimental areas in the south. Implementing the agreement still faces obstacles related to the Israeli withdrawal, the verification mechanism, and disagreement over field procedures, while Beirut is committed to completing the negotiations to reach full implementation of the understandings.
