Lebanon says it will consider any remaining Israeli presence on its lands an occupation

Lebanon will consider any remaining Israeli presence on its lands an occupation and has the right to use all means to ensure an Israeli withdrawal, a spokesperson for the Lebanese presidency says. Today is the deadline for the US-brokered ceasefire that halted last year’s war with Hezbollah.

Israel said it would meet the February 18 deadline to withdraw under a ceasefire but remain deployed in five strategic positions in southern Lebanon.

After a meeting between President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, the three leaders say the Lebanese army was ready “to assume all its duties along the… borders,” presidency spokeswoman Najat Charafeddine says.

She adds that Lebanon would also seek the UN Security Council’s help to “address Israeli violations and compel Israel to immediately withdraw.”