Boss98.9 FM
Israel is reportedly seeking another extension of the deadline for the withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon.
A Western diplomatic source suggests that the request is likely to raise new concerns in a country with a history of Israeli occupation.
According to the source, Israeli forces had been due to pull out next week but wanted its military to stay in five positions for another 10 days, till 28 February 2025.
However, President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday insisted that there was no truth to reports that another extension had been agreed, stressing Lebanon’s insistence on the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Recall that the ceasefire has already been extended once from the initial deadline of January 26—after Israel said the Lebanese state had not fully implemented the deal.
The continued presence of Israeli troops is a source of concern for many in Lebanon as Israel occupied the country’s south for 18 years, between 1982 and 2000.
