Beirut, July 31 (QNA) - Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun condemned today the ongoing violations and attacks carried out by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, particularly the bombings targeting infrastructure and archaeological sites listed as World Heritage sites. He emphasized that these attacks have caused significant damage and serious repercussions affecting most villages in the south.
In a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency, Aoun said, "The massive explosions that rocked Beaufort Castle today, generating seismic waves equivalent to a 3.8 magnitude earthquake according to the National Center for Geophysics, represent a highly dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of existing commitments. They also pose a direct threat to the progress made under the framework agreement, to which Lebanon has committed." He added that the timing of the attacks, on the eve of the scheduled meeting in Rome to continue discussions on implementing the tripartite framework, sends negative messages and undermines international efforts to stabilize the situation.
He called on the sponsoring parties and the international community to assume their responsibilities and take action to end these violations, which threaten the chances of progress in the diplomatic process and undermine security and stability in southern Lebanon.
It is worth noting that Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement under US auspices that stipulates security arrangements and the redeployment of the Lebanese army in the south, as well as measures to rebuild the affected areas, revive the Lebanese economy, establish direct communication channels between the two sides, and take confidence-building measures as a prelude to lasting peace. (QNA)