Vatican says 'serious concerns' over Israel-Lebanon deal implementation
The Vatican voiced serious concerns over stalled steps to disarm Hezbollah and withdraw Israeli forces, while pledging support for implementation efforts.
- On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV held a private, 30-minute audience with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Vatican to discuss the US-mediated framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
- The US-mediated deal, signed in June, aims to disarm Hezbollah, withdraw Israeli forces, and designate 'pilot zones' for the Lebanese Army, yet direct talks in Rome stalled earlier in August.
- During the audience, Aoun urged the Pope to support "a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories," arguing this is essential for reconstruction and displaced people's return.
- The Vatican said it is "deeply concerned" about implementation difficulties, pledging support for diplomatic efforts to ensure Israel and Lebanon honor the framework agreement's provisions.
- Aoun continues his visit on Friday with a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to address the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, whose mandate expires in 2026.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Radio France Internationale
Vatican says 'serious concerns' over Israel-Lebanon deal implementation
During a private, 30-minute audience at the Vatican, Aoun had urged the pontiff to support Beirut's push to secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon envisaged by the deal, the Lebanese presidency said. "The Holy See, whilst welcoming the signing of the document, has expressed serious concerns about the difficulties being encountered in implementing it, and has pledged its support for efforts to that end," the Vatican said in a…
Joseph Aoun asked Prevost to continue diplomatic efforts to push Tel Aviv to stop the attacks on villages in the south of the country and to respect the commitments made with the United States
The Vatican is "lively concerned" about the difficulties in implementing the framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon. This concern was expressed at a hearing of Pope Leo XIV with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the Vatican.
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