The German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, received by President of the Republic Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Palace on March 19, 2025. Photo taken from the Lebanese presidency's X account.
BEIRUT — President Joseph Aoun said on Wednesday that Israel has "rejected" all Lebanese proposals to withdraw from the five strategic points in southern Lebanon. Aoun made the comments while receiving German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Baabda Presidential Palace, following her arrival in Beirut earlier that day.
"Israel has rejected all the proposals made by Lebanon to leave the five [Lebanese] hills," the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported, citing Aoun. "Diplomatic efforts and negotiations are still ongoing to find a definitive solution to this issue," he added.
The president also emphasized that 'the continued Israeli occupation of territories in South Lebanon prevents the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and violates the cease-fire agreement."
"The Lebanese Army, which has deployed in all areas from which the Israelis have withdrawn, fully fulfills its duty by ensuring security and seizing all kinds of weapons," he further said.
The cease-fire, which came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, brought an end to the war between Israel and Hezbollah that began on Oct. 8, 2023. The agreement stipulates a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese villages, where the Lebanese Army was expected to deploy subsequently. The deadline for the withdrawal was originally set for Jan. 26, which was on that day extended to Feb. 18. However, the Israeli army has maintained its occupation of five positions it deemed "strategic": Labbouneh/Alma al-Shaab (Sour district); Jabal Blat, near Ramaya (Bint Jbeil); Jal al-Deir, south of Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil); a position along the Markaba-Houla road (Marjayoun); the Hamames hill, near Khiam (Marjayoun).
In its last meeting, the cease-fire monitoring committee, chaired by U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, concluded that Lebanon was fulfilling its obligations under the agreement, while most of the violations were coming from the Israeli side, according to a Lebanese military source.
Last Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel "will not relinquish" these positions.
Aoun also condemned Israel’s continued detention of Lebanese nationals. "Israel continues to detain a number of Lebanese prisoners and has only released five of them. Lebanon insists on retrieving all prisoners recently captured by Israel," the president said.
In early March, Israel released five detainees, including a soldier, as a "gesture" towards the Lebanese president, according to Netanyahu's office.
In a statement reported by AFP, the German foreign minister affirmed "rejecting any permanent occupation' of Lebanese territory by Israel. "As Europeans, we reject any permanent occupation of Lebanese territory by Israeli troops, because Hezbollah will only use this as a further excuse for terrorist activities and its so-called 'resistance.'" The EU designates Hezbollah's military wing as a "terrorist organization."
Baerbock further argued that Lebanon's political stability hinges "is also a result of Hezbollah’s influence being decisively pushed back," she said, referencing the party's significant weakening following the war. "Hezbollah had the entire country... in its dangerous grip" before the war, she added.
Reforms 'essential for continued support'
The recent political stability "finally offers the opportunity to address the urgently needed reforms that have been on the table for a long time," Baerbock said, referencing the reforms expected from Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government by the international community. She mentioned "above all, implementing the agreements reached with the International Monetary Fund [IMF]," specifying that it is "essential for our continued support of Lebanon."
The war with Israel has devastated significant parts of the country, which had been already grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis since 2019. The World Bank estimates Lebanon's reconstruction costs at $11 billion.
As Lebanon seeks to secure a preliminary agreement with the IMF before the summer to initiate the implementation of the required reforms, Aoun stressed that "Lebanon cannot recover without reforms." He added that this requirement is not merely an international of regional demand but a Lebanese necessity. He also emphasized that "the mandate and government's orientations are clear regarding the implementation of these reforms at all levels."
Aoun thanked Germany for its support, particularly through the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and he expressed hope that this support would continue.
On Lebanon-Syria clashes
Asked about the situation at the Lebanese-Syrian border, Aoun indicated that "communications with the Syrian side continue to restore stability, and the Lebanese Army has been deployed in neighboring localities to prevent what happened over the past three days from recurring," reported the NNA.
Earlier in the day, our regional correspondent reported that the Lebanese Army and military engineering units have been deployed in Hosh al-Sayyed Ali, in the Baalbeck-Hermel district, at the border with Syria, following the withdrawal of the Syrian army from the area.
The clashes along the Lebanon-Syria border erupted on Sunday afternoon following an incident. Two conflicting narratives emerged following the violence, which killed at least seven Lebanese and injured around 50 others, based on the Lebanese Health Ministry reports. The Lebanese side reported a "Syrian forces infiltration" into the Lebanese village of al-Qasr (Baalbeck-Hermel), which is inhabited by predominantly Shiite clans.
On the other hand, Damascus claimed that Syrian soldiers were ambushed and "executed by Hezbollah." Hezbollah categorically denied any involvement in the clashes.
The incident led to exchanges of fire, during which the Lebanese Army was involved, carrying out a rare airstrike responding to Syrian artillery positions, which were bombarding Lebanese villages. On Monday evening, the Lebanese Foreign Minister spoke to his Syrian counterpart and agreed on a cease-fire.
At Salam's
Baerbock later met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who stressed the importance of stability in southern Lebanon.
"Strengthening stability in Lebanon begins in the South," stated Salam. "Establishing stability requires supporting Lebanon in various areas, particularly in reconstruction, as well as in economic sectors."
He reiterated that "the government has resumed negotiations with the IMP and is committed to reform in its ministerial declaration."
Salam also urged Germany to "help ensure the necessary conditions for the return of displaced Syrians, according to the conditions of their dignified and sustainable return."
Moreover, following the massacres along Syria's coastal region, an influx of Syrian refugees arrived in Lebanon, exacerbating the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon.
For her part, the German minister expressed "her country's continued support to Lebanon during this period, through economic and social projects, as well as through continuous support to the Lebanese Army and participation in UNIFIL forces."
