Rajji calls for a 'total and unconditional Israeli withdrawal'

Foreign Minister Joe Rajji reiterated Monday "Lebanon's demand for a total and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory," during a meeting with the French ambassador to Beirut, Hervé Magro.

He also called "for an end to air aggression, violations of Lebanese sovereignty, and the implementation of a cease-fire and resolution 1701," according to statements reported by the state-run National Information Agency (NNA).

France, alongside the United States, is a guarantor of the truce agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel after more than 13 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. This agreement was extended until Feb. 18, after Israel claimed that the Lebanese government had not fully implemented it, citing the slow deployment of the Lebanese army. Despite the expiration of this deadline, the Israeli army has maintained its presence at several points in southern Lebanon and continues to conduct airstrikes across the country.

The minister and the ambassador also discussed the results of the Paris Conference on Syria, held on Feb. 13, which Rajji attended.

At this conference, around 20 Arab and Western countries pledged to work together to help rebuild Syria and protect its fragile transition in the face of security challenges and foreign interference. The country, devastated by 14 years of war, has resulted in over 500,000 deaths and has more than 10 million Syrian refugees and displaced persons.