BEIRUT — Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Taymour Joumblatt called for the liberation of the territories in southern Lebanon still occupied by the Israeli army after the scheduled date for its complete withdrawal during a meeting in Beirut with Iratxe García-Pérez, member of the European Parliament as well as president of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the same parliament.

García-Pérez visited Lebanon as "part of a mission to the Middle East" aimed at supporting all voices that would help ensure "stability in the region," she said in a statement. The delegation, representing "the second-largest bloc in the European Parliament," also visited the devastated Gaza Strip, including Rafah.

"Lebanon's sovereignty cannot be assured so long as any part of its land is occupied," Joumblatt said. "These territories must be liberated in accordance with the American cease-fire agreement, which includes the implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701," which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. "Israel's occupation of five sites in southern Lebanon is a challenge to international law and the international community," he continued.

García-Pérez's own comments to this point revolved around "the necessity of implementing Resolution 1701." She said the EU was dedicated to ensuring its "full implementation."

Joumblatt also condemned the attack on a convoy of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) by Hezbollah supporters on a road leading to Beirut international airport during a protest against the decision by the Lebanese government to ban Iranian planes from landing in Beirut, which came in response to Israeli accusations that the planes were being used to smuggle in money for Hezbollah.