Conditions in southern Lebanon, particularly in the "village of Ghajar" and the "Hezbollah tent," dominated today's political meetings, which ranged from the government palace to the foreign ministry and UNIFIL. There was a review of Israeli violations and discussions on ways to resolve the accumulated crises at the border.
At the Government Palace, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati monitored the situation in the south and the issue of extending UNIFIL's mandate during a meeting he held with caretaker Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib and General Aroldo Lazaro, the head of the international forces operating in southern Lebanon. Bou Habib stated after the meeting: "The security situation in the south was discussed, and they conveyed to us the Israeli demand for the removal of the 'tent.' Our response was that we want them to withdraw from northern Ghajar, which is considered Lebanese land. On our part, we recorded approximately 18 Israeli violations along the border." In response to a question about UN Resolution 1701 and the renewal of UNIFIL, he said: "The UN Secretary-General's report will be discussed on July 20, and in the last week of August, UNIFIL will be renewed. The Prime Minister has informed them that I will lead the Lebanese delegation to New York."
In a separate development, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri received General Aroldo Lazaro, the head of the UNIFIL mission in southern Lebanon, along with his political advisor and deputy commander, Irv Leekok. They reviewed the general situation concerning UNIFIL's operations, especially following the Israeli escalation in violations of Lebanese sovereignty in the regions of Ghajar, Shebaa Farms, and the Kfarshouba Hills.
**Complaint to the Security Council**
As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts and preparations for the periodic discussion of the UN Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of Resolution 1701 (2006) scheduled for July 20, and in follow-up to the request for the extension of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate at the end of August, Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib met today with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, and US Ambassador Dorothy Shea. They discussed ways to halt the process of land encroachment in the occupied northern part of the village of Ghajar, extending to the outskirts of the village of Mari, and both parties were informed that Lebanon would file a complaint with the Security Council to address this violation and to demand Israel's withdrawal from the occupied area in line with Resolution 1701. Assistance was requested to address this breach, which adds to the numerous ongoing violations threatening stability and calm in southern Lebanon and the region.
The issue of the two tents set up in the Shebaa Farms was also discussed, with Minister Bou Habib stressing the importance of completing the land border demarcation process and examining how to address the remaining disputed points within the framework of tripartite meetings to enhance calm and stability in southern Lebanon, in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.
**Army Commander**
Army Commander General Joseph Aoun received UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Frontezka at his office in Yarzeh, and they discussed the general situation in the country. He also met with the head of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, General Aroldo Lazaro.
