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  

News Desk - The Cradle

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.” 

The outgoing government of Joe Biden has coordinated with President-elect Donald Trump on Aoun’s election in Lebanon, Walla adds. It says that Israel has hopes that Trump will allow Israeli forces to remain in Lebanon once he becomes president. 

Israel has withdrawn from some areas in the western sector of south Lebanon. The report notes that Aoun’s election would not have been possible without the withdrawal – as it proved that the Lebanese state has been able to “deliver the goods” regarding its implementation of the ceasefire agreement by deploying across south Lebanon.

Despite this, recent Israeli reports have signaled that Tel Aviv is unsatisfied with the LAF’s efforts in implementing the deal – and Israel’s defense minister publicly accused Hezbollah of not withdrawing beyond the Litani River on 5 January, threatening a collapse of the ceasefire. 

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz, and the IDF leadership don't want to completely pull out the forces but leave them in three key positions in southern Lebanon,” Israeli journalist Barak Ravid said on Thursday in a report for Axios. 

The Walla report came as Lebanese forces entered the town of Aitaroun in south Lebanon on Friday after its entry was delayed for a week. The Israeli army continued violent attacks in areas where it is present in the south. 

Israeli troops pushed into the town of Taybeh again, destroying and setting fire to homes. 

Hezbollah has signaled that it will confront Israel if it remains in Lebanon until after the 60-day ceasefire period, which is scheduled to end this month. 

During his inauguration speech on Thursday, Lebanon’s new president vowed that he will work to “confirm the state's right to monopolize the carrying of weapons” across the country.