President Joseph Aoun has welcomed a parliamentary initiative and petition calling for the extension of the international forces’ mandate in southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reports.

“The presence of Unifil in the south is important for numerous reasons, and it helps stabilise the population in their villages and towns, and enhance stability through cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese Army,” he has said according to post by his office on X.

“Our first option is to extend Unifil forces, and in the event of no extension for them, the second option is to adopt a formula that ensures the continuation of the presence of international forces in the south, within the required legal framework, with these forces being alongside the Lebanese Army and in coordination with it, in support of stability and the implementation of the tasks entrusted to it.”

Aoun says Israel opposes Unifil’s presence and has been pressuring for its removal for nearly a year, while Lebanon is seeking its continuation.