A Lebanese military delegation has prepared to present Beirut's demands for an immediate end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon at a trilateral meeting in Tampa, Florida, on 20 October, the Lebanese presidency confirmed.
President Aoun warned that Israel continues its assaults on southern towns and villages, demolishing homes, bulldozing land, and blocking farmers from their fields in direct breach of the US-brokered framework agreement.
He emphasised that ongoing occupation and border tensions prevent the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) from deploying down to the international frontier under UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Aoun stated that the military delegation will put forward Lebanon's demands to halt Israeli escalation at the Florida talks, hoping to achieve tangible progress aligned with the framework accord.
He also underscored Beirut's desire to extend the mandate of international peacekeeping forces beyond their scheduled 2027 withdrawal, welcoming any UN mechanism that prevents an operational vacuum or direct friction between Lebanese and Israeli troops.
State authority
Aoun affirmed that Lebanese military and internal security forces are actively executing cabinet directives to extend state authority across the country, eliminate armed manifestations, and confiscate unauthorised weaponry and ammunition, referring violators directly to the judiciary.
He stressed that strengthening and equipping the army remains essential to fulfilling these national security responsibilities.
Lebanon and Israel have held several rounds of direct negotiations in recent months, aimed at ending hostilities following Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and its continued occupation of parts of Lebanese territory.
Under the framework pact reached through US-brokered talks, Beirut pledged to disarm Hezbollah, which was intended to lead to a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
Israel has maintained its aerial strikes and military incursions across southern Lebanon.
