Germany said on Monday it is opposed to a permanent Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory following statements by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who stated that the Israeli forces would not withdraw from territory occupied in southern Lebanon.
“The federal government’s position is quite clear: We reject a permanent presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory. Nor must the civilian population be prevented from returning to where they live,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Giese at a press briefing in Berlin.
Giese’s remarks were underscored by government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, who reiterated German “support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity.”
Katz claimed that Israeli forces have “no restriction” in Lebanon.
“There was and is no restriction on IDF soldiers in Lebanon from operating to remove threats,” he said, referring to Israeli occupation forces.
“As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made clear, Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon,” Katz said.
His comments came after mediators of the US-Iran talks Pakistan and Qatar announced on Monday that Washington and Tehran agreed to set up communications lines to end fighting in Lebanon, including a “de-confliction cell.”
Source: Agencies