Beirut: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, on Thursday afternoon received a phone call from French President, Emmanuel Macron, touching on the latest ongoing contacts to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
According to National news agency - Lebanon, President Aoun expressed gratitude to President Macron for the efforts of France and its delegation to the United Nations. The coordination with the United States and the Security Council member states resulted in an agreement to extend the UN peacekeeping force's mandate until the end of 2027.
President Aoun emphasized that this extension represents a significant step in assisting the Lebanese army in its deployment to the internationally recognized borders. The move is contingent upon the full Israeli withdrawal, cessation of hostilities, and the return of Lebanese prisoners.
The conversation also covered the Lebanese army's plan to implement the Cabinet's decision to restrict weapon possession to Lebanese security forces. President Macron noted the importance of this step, which has received broad European and international backing. Additionally, discussions included preparations for two international conferences focused on Lebanon's reconstruction and support for the Lebanese army.