Lebanon calls for complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has said that the goal of the country's armed forces is to "gradually extend their authority over all Lebanese territory, including the south," according to the National News Agency (NNA). Speaking at a conference held by the French Senate in Paris, he said achieving this objective remains contingent upon a complete Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.

"No state can complete the building of its institutions and sovereignty while part of its territory remains under occupation. Occupation undermines state institutions, fuels tensions, delays the return to political and security stability, and prevents the state from exercising its full authority over its territory," Raggi said.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, where Hezbollah and Israeli forces have exchanged fire. Lebanon has long called for Israel to withdraw from the Shebaa Farms and other disputed areas. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been deployed in the region to maintain peace.

According to the report by Mehr News, Raggi's statement underscores Lebanon's position that full sovereignty cannot be achieved without an end to Israeli occupation. The conference in Paris focused on Lebanon's stability and the need for international support.