Beirut: Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has urged Britain to apply pressure on Israel to halt its ongoing attacks on Lebanon, as Beirut continues to advocate for the implementation of an agreement that calls for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, according to a statement from the Lebanese foreign minister's media office.
According to Anadolu Agency, the appeal was made during a call Raggi received from UK Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Stephen Doughty. During the conversation, Doughty reaffirmed the UK's unwavering support for Lebanon, as the two ministers discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the broader region, particularly in light of the impending expiration of the mandate for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
"I called on the United Kingdom to exert pressure on Israel to halt its ongoing attacks against Lebanese territory," Raggi stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Additionally, the Lebanese minister briefed Doughty on the progress made in efforts to place weapons under state control, although specific details were not disclosed.
UNIFIL's mandate, established to monitor the cessation of hostilities and support stability in the area, is set to expire at the end of 2026. The force has been present in Lebanon since 1978 under UN Security Council resolutions.
Raggi's request coincided with a declaration by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun during a preparatory meeting in Paris for an international conference aimed at supporting the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces. Aoun emphasized that achieving stability and fully implementing the agreement with Israel would be impossible amid ongoing Israeli attacks and violations of Lebanese territory.
President Aoun called on Lebanon's allies and partners to assist in implementing the agreement fully and to uphold Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity as an unwavering principle. On June 26, Beirut and Tel Aviv signed a US-sponsored 'framework formula' in Washington, which outlined a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas vacated by Israeli forces.
Despite the agreement, Israel continues to launch attacks on southern Lebanon and occupies certain areas, some for decades and others seized during recent conflicts and military operations.
At the conclusion of the call, Raggi extended an invitation to Doughty to visit Lebanon, which the British minister promised to accept at the earliest opportunity, as per the statement.