Lebanon discusses Israeli withdrawal with US envoy
An Israeli army Merkava main battle tank is deployed by the concrete border wall at a position along Israel's northern border with Lebanon on February 18, 2025. (AFP Photo)
U.S. Deputy Middle East Envoy Morgan Ortagus met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday to discuss ongoing security concerns in southern Lebanon and Israel’s incomplete withdrawal from the region, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
The high-level talks at the presidential palace in Baabda focused on the implementation of security arrangements along Lebanon’s borders with both Israel and Syria, at a time when regional tensions remain high.
Ortagus, who began her visit to Lebanon on Friday, discussed with President Aoun the operations of the international monitoring committee overseeing Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, which remains incomplete months after a ceasefire was established.
The meeting also addressed Lebanon’s domestic challenges, including financial and economic reforms and anti-corruption efforts, the state news agency reported.
Lebanase PM discusses implementation of UN Resolution 1701 with US envoy
In a separate meeting later in the day, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Ortagus discussed the Lebanese army’s implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Lebanon War and called for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon.
The Lebanese-Syrian border situation received significant attention during both meetings, with officials emphasizing “the need for full control, the prevention of any tensions or conflict, and efforts to halt all forms of smuggling,” according to NNA.
Relations between Lebanon and Syria have deteriorated in recent weeks following accusations from Syria’s Defense Ministry that Hezbollah was responsible for the kidnapping and killing of three Syrian soldiers in mid-March, allegations the Iran-backed group has denied.
The discussions come as Israel maintains a military presence at five border outposts in southern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement that required full withdrawal initially by January 26. After Israel failed to meet this deadline, it was extended to February 18, but Israeli forces have yet to completely withdraw.
The ceasefire, in place since November, ended months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September. The truce has been described as fragile, with reports of multiple violations by Israeli forces.
