Lebanese President: Ongoing Efforts to Ensure Israel’s Withdrawal by February 18

The Lebanese National News Agency reported on Thursday that President Joseph Aoun confirmed his country is actively pursuing diplomatic efforts to ensure Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory by February 18, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

Aoun emphasized that Lebanon seeks to restore international confidence and encourage “brotherly Arab and Gulf nations to invest in Lebanon.”

The ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, reached last November, stipulates “the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon, the removal of Hezbollah from the area, and the deployment of the Lebanese army within 60 days.” The agreement was extended until February 18.

The Lebanese Presidency’s media office denied reports by some media outlets claiming that Lebanon and Israel had agreed to extend the ceasefire beyond Eid al-Fitr.