Election Of New Lebanese President ‘Puts Pressure’ On Israel To Withdraw Troops: Report
Israel recently began a limited withdrawal from south Lebanon but has signaled that it may be planning to extend its presence
Hebrew media reported on 10 January that the election of Joseph Aoun as president of Lebanon will increase pressure on Israel to withdraw its troops in the south of the country.
Israeli newspaper Walla wrote that Aoun’s election on 9 January, which broke over two years of political deadlock in Lebanon, “is expected to increase pressure on Israel to complete the withdrawal of IDF forces from southern Lebanon by the end of January,” citing senior US and Israeli officials.
The report notes that the new president, formerly the commander of Lebanon’s Armed Forces (LAF), enjoys broad international and Arab support – particularly from the US and Saudi Arabia.
“The Israelis will soon begin to receive the message from all over the world that they need to come to terms with reality and that there is no way they can stay in Lebanon,” a US official told the outlet.
If the army does not withdraw, it will “find itself in conflict with the international community.”
