BEIRUT, Oct 23 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged on Thursday the activation of Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities' (Mechanism) work to halt repeated Israeli occupation violations against Lebanon and the breach of the ceasefire agreement reached last November.
According to a presidential statement, Aoun conveyed this to the newly appointed head of the committee, United States General Joseph Clearfield.
He affirmed that no one in southern Lebanon, nor in the country as a whole, wishes to return to a state of war.
The President reiterated Lebanon's commitment to the ceasefire, expressing hope that the committee would help restore stability in southern Lebanon and stop the "unjustified and unacceptable" Israeli occupation attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
He noted that the Lebanese Army continues to perform its duties south of the Litani River, reinforcing its deployment daily, and called for pressure on the occupation to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories to allow full army deployment to the international border.
Aoun added that the army has cleared areas under its control, removed armed manifestations, and seized weapons and ammunition despite the region's difficult terrain.
For his part, General Clearfield briefed President Aoun on the committee's latest meeting, noting that its sessions will now be held regularly to reinforce the cessation of hostilities in southern Lebanon.
The Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (Mechanism) includes representatives from the United States, France, UNIFIL, and both the Lebanese and Israeli occupation sides.
It was established following the ceasefire agreement that took effect on November 27, 2024, after a surge in Israeli occupation airstrikes across Lebanon in September of that year. (end) ayb.aai