Aoun tells UN's Lacroix army fully implementing disarmament decision

President Joseph Aoun told visiting U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix that Lebanon welcomes any country wishing to maintain forces in the south after UNIFIL's withdrawal in 2027.

"These forces will assist the Lebanese army, which will be increasing its personnel in the coming weeks," Aoun said Wednesday after he met Lacroix.

"The Lebanese army is carrying out its duties in full in the South Litani region in implementation of the government's decision. The claims spread by Israel and some local mouthpieces regarding the army’s failure to carry out its assigned tasks are baseless," Aoun told Lacroix.

Israel has previously questioned the Lebanese military's effectiveness and has accused Hezbollah of rearming.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday called the disarmament efforts far from sufficient.

Lacroix met later on Wednesday with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and discussed with him the phase that will follow the end of UNIFIL's mandate. He described the meeting as "positive."

On Tuesday, Lacroix met in Naqoura in south Lebanon with UNIFIL peacekeepers who he said are "carrying out their mandated tasks under increasingly difficult and dangerous conditions".

"Their daily work to support regional security and stability continues despite ongoing risks to their safety & security," Lacroix wrote on X.

He later added that the level of destruction in south Lebanon is "appalling."

"Families can't return. The threat from unexploded devices remains extremely high" he said, calling on all parties to respect the 2024 ceasefire agreement, allow civilians to return, and UNIFIL to fulfill its mandate.

"Amidst regional tensions, the Blue Line is the common point of reference for Lebanon, Israel & the U.N. Respecting its integrity is key to prevent escalations & enable UNIFIL to implement its mandated tasks, incl. guaranteeing & maintaining the Blue Line & reporting violations."