Reassuring Residents and Enhancing the Role of State Institutions.. 10,000 Soldiers Deployed in Southern Litani

Amid the tensions and major challenges facing the Lebanese-Palestinian borders coinciding with the escalation of the confrontation between Iran and Israel,
Lebanese President Michel Aoun announced on Thursday an increase in the number of army personnel in southern Litani to 10,000 soldiers, indicating that "the presence of the Lebanese army in the border areas reassures the residents and enhances the role of state institutions in the southern cities and villages."


This came during a meeting with the US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for President Donald Trump on the Syrian file, Thomas Barak, in the presence of the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency.

He pointed out that "the army units deployed in southern Litani continue to fully implement Resolution 1701 by removing armed manifestations, seizing weapons and ammunition, and preventing any armed presence other than security agencies, but they have so far been unable to complete their mission due to the continued Israeli occupation of the five hills and their surroundings."

President Aoun praised "the support provided by the United States to the Lebanese army," expressing "his hope for the continuation of this support, especially in terms of equipping the army with the weapons, equipment, and vehicles necessary to complete its missions effectively."

The discussions included the steps taken by Lebanon to achieve the principle of disarming, and President Aoun confirmed that "communications are ongoing in this regard, on both the Lebanese and Palestinian levels," expressing "his hope that they will intensify after the situation stabilizes following the turmoil in the region due to the escalation of the Israeli-Iranian conflict."