NNA - President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, informed the Senator of the American state of Texas, Ronny Jackson, whom he received this afternoon at Baabda Palace in the presence of US Ambassador Lisa Johnson, that "stability in the south and along the borders requires the withdrawal of the Israelis from the hilltops where they were stationed and the return of the Lebanese prisoners who were detained during the last war," and "this Lebanese position is firm and final."

President Aoun stressed that "the Lebanese army has deployed in the villages and towns from which the Israelis withdrew, and is ready to be stationed along the border," noting that "cooperation is well underway with the international forces operating in the south to implement Resolution 1701 and what was stated in the agreement reached on November 27."

Aoun considered that by continuing to occupy the hilltops, Israel violates this agreement, stressing that the countries sponsoring the agreement, especially the United States of America, must pressure it to abide by it fully.

The President confirmed to Senator Jackson that "the Lebanese Army is carrying out its duties completely and in coordination with UNIFIL," stressing that "there is no truth to all the rumors that it is slacking in implementing what was agreed upon."

President Aoun renewed his appreciation for the United States support to Lebanon, particularly to the Lebanese Army, calling for an increase in this support that enhances the army's readiness in terms of equipment and numbers and enables it to fully carry out its mission, hoping that this would receive a positive response from the new American administration and the American House of Representatives and Senate.

Senator Jackson began the meeting by congratulating President Aoun on his election, stressing the United States support for Lebanon which has started regaining its health after entering a new phase of stability following the election of President Aoun and the formation of the new government.

The American Senator stressed that he will work with US President Donald Trump and his fellow senators and representatives to provide the necessary material and equipment support to the Lebanese army, which is doing exceptional work and is receiving support from everyone inside and outside Lebanon, noting that "cooperation between Lebanon and the United States is in the interest of the Lebanese and American peoples."

"We want to see Lebanon, and the entire Middle East, enter a new era of peace and prosperity, and I think that is possible right now," Jackson told attending newsmen following the meeting with the President.

He added in response to a question, “I think we will continue to work to try to mediate between the Lebanese leadership and the Israeli leadership. We want the border to be fully redrawn, for Lebanon to have full control over its border, but we also want that border to be secure. We want the Lebanese to live on one side, and the Israelis to live on the other side, and to be able to look across the border and see each other and feel safe. And I think we will continue to work with the Israelis to figure out how to make that happen as quickly as possible. But we want things to get back to normal, with each country securely controlling its border, and we will continue to work to make that happen.”

=============R.Sh.