Lebanon’s Former PM Rejects Framework Deal Without Israeli Withdrawal and Ceasefire

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Fouad Siniora, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that a framework agreement with Israel is not acceptable if it does not encompass the issue of troop withdrawal and the establishment of a ceasefire.

Siniora, while referring to the current situation in Lebanon and without mentioning the Beirut government’s silence in the face of Israeli aggressions, claimed that the existing conditions have become very difficult following actions undertaken by Hezbollah without consultation. He asserted that the Lebanese government was compelled to enter negotiations due to the challenging circumstances arising from Hezbollah’s actions.

The former Lebanese Prime Minister also alleged a convergence of interests between Hezbollah and Israel, suggesting that each party uses the other as a pretext for its actions. He further claimed that the framework agreement represents a step towards transforming Lebanon into a country where the only armed force is that of the government.