The French Foreign Ministry announced that Paris "took note" on Tuesday evening of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from villages in southern Lebanon, recalling the "necessity" of a complete withdrawal "as soon as possible," amid Lebanese diplomatic pressure on influential countries to push Israel toward a complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

The French Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that "France has taken note that the Israeli Defense Forces are still present in five locations on Lebanese territory." The statement added that France "recalls the need for the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanese territory, as soon as possible, in accordance with the terms of the ceasefire agreement" in effect between the pro-Iranian Hezbollah and the Hebrew state, which was concluded at the end of November 2024.

Lebanon announced on Tuesday that it will continue its diplomatic contacts with France and the United States in order to pressure Israel to complete its withdrawal from the south of the country, considering that keeping its forces in five strategic points is an “occupation.”

With the deadline for implementing the withdrawal expiring, the Israeli army announced its intention to remain temporarily in five “strategic” points extending along the southern border of Lebanon, which allow it to supervise the border towns in southern Lebanon and the areas opposite on the Israeli side to ensure “that there is no immediate threat.”

US National Security Advisor

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told US National Security Advisor Mike Walt that it is necessary to end the Israeli occupation of the remaining points in Lebanon and complete the implementation of the ceasefire agreement concluded with Israel under US mediation. The Lebanese presidency’s account on the “X” platform quoted Aoun as saying: “It is necessary to end the Israeli occupation of the remaining points and complete the implementation of the November 27, 2024 agreement to ensure strengthening stability in the south and implementing Resolution 1701.”

The presidency added in a statement on the "X" platform that the US National Security Advisor "assured President Aoun that the US administration is following up on developments in the south, after the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and their continued occupation of a number of border points."

The American official praised the role played by the Lebanese army in deploying in the locations from which the Israeli forces withdrew, and stressed the importance of the Lebanese-American partnership and the need to strengthen it in all areas.

In the same context, Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raji requested, on Wednesday, the support of the European Union to complete the full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, in implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and UN Security Council Resolution No. 1701, during his reception of the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra de Waal.