Joseph Aoun, president of Lebanon, called for the extension of UNIFIL’s mandate and said that continuing the presence of the United Nations forces in southern Lebanon is the main option of the government of this country.

According to Aoun, if extending the current UNIFIL mandate is not possible, a mechanism must be adopted that ensures the presence of international forces in southern Lebanon continues.

He added that the presence of these forces helps stabilize the population and allows residents to stay in the cities and villages of the south.

Aoun also said that Israel has been exerting pressure for a year to end this presence, while Lebanon emphasizes the continuation of the mandate of the international forces.