MP and Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee, Ibrahim Kanaan, at the press conference in Jdeideh. (Credit: Screenshot of the live broadcast on his Facebook page)
MP Ibrahim Kanaan met with U.S. Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus in Washington to outline Lebanon’s key reform priorities and its path toward economic recovery, the state-run National News Agency reported Wednesday.
This includes a comprehensive vision that encompasses financial and reform-related legislations, addressing the fiscal gap, as well as the importance of increasing support for the Lebanese Army to carry out its assigned tasks within the framework of implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and maintaining stability across Lebanon.
Adopted on Aug. 11, 2006, at the end of the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Resolution 1701 notably provides for a cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south, the disarmament of all armed groups, and the creation of a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River.
The cease-fire agreement concluded at the end of November 2024 to put an end to months of renewed clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army is based on this text.
However, the implementation of the resolution and the truce agreement remains partial, as the Israeli army continues to occupy at least five positions in Lebanese territory along the Blue Line, and, according to the latest U.N. reports, Hezbollah, which has transferred dozens of its military positions in the south to the Lebanese army, still maintains “active armed elements” in villages in the region.
The meeting also highlighted "the need for the international community to fulfill its commitments and for Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territories," NNA said.
Israel still occupies five points in southern Lebanon.
The five locations where Israeli forces remain include Hamames hill (Marjayoun), Labouneh/Alma al-Shaab (Sour), Jabal Blat near Ramaieh (Bint Jbeil), Jal al-Deir south of Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil), and a newly established position along the Markaba-Houla road (Marjayoun).
Israeli forces have also killed dozens of civilians in Lebanon since a cease-fire took effect late last year, including several women and children, the United Nations said last week.
