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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said a Lebanese military delegation will attend a tripartite meeting in Tampa, Florida, on October 20, where it will push for an end to Israel's escalation, and that Lebanon wants the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) extended.

Speaking at Baabda Palace to a ministerial delegation led by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Aoun said Israel has failed to honour the framework agreement reached in June under U.S. mediation and that its continued presence in the south blocks the Lebanese army from deploying to the international border.

Meeting with French delegation at Baabda Palace

According to a written statement from the Lebanese presidency, Aoun received the ministerial delegation headed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot at Baabda Palace.

Aoun thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for the decision to resume commercial French flights to Beirut and for Macron's role in setting up a European mission that will provide advisory support and assistance to the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces for three years.

Aoun accuses Israel of breaching the June agreement

"Israel continues to attack villages and towns in the south, to destroy with bulldozers, to demolish homes and to prevent farmers from reaching their land," Aoun said, stressing that Israel is not abiding by the terms of the framework agreement reached in June under U.S. auspices.

Aoun said the continuing Israeli occupation in the south stops the Lebanese army from deploying to the international border in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Delegation to raise demands at Tampa talks

Aoun said the Lebanese military delegation will take part in the tripartite meeting in Tampa, Florida, on October 20 and will put forward demands for an end to Israel's escalation. "We hope to obtain results consistent with the framework agreement," Aoun said.

Aoun said Lebanon wants UNIFIL's mandate extended and that, if that proves impossible, it would welcome any formula that secures an international presence in the south.

France backs new international structure

Barrot said France will continue to stand with Lebanon, in cooperation with its European partners, and to support the country in every field.

Barrot called for a new international structure to support Lebanon's sovereignty, help the redeployment of the Lebanese army and prevent a security vacuum that could have serious consequences.

Background on the framework agreement

Israel and Lebanon signed a "framework agreement" on June 26 under U.S. mediation, aimed at ending the dispute between the two countries and securing long-term peace. The deal provides for Israel's gradual withdrawal from Lebanese territory it occupies and for negotiations between the sides to continue. Israel, however, has kept up its occupation and its attacks in Lebanon.

Lebanese and Israeli delegations have been holding talks at political and military level within the direct negotiations that began in April under U.S. auspices.

Key takeaways

• Lebanese military delegation to attend a tripartite meeting in Tampa, Florida, on October 20.
• Aoun says Israel is not complying with the June framework agreement and continues attacks and destruction in the south.
• Lebanon wants UNIFIL's mandate extended, or any formula that guarantees an international presence in the south.
• France's Barrot calls for a new international structure to support Lebanese sovereignty and army redeployment.