Aoun upholds framework deal as Lebanon backs UNIFIL extension

Lebanese newspaper headlines highlight continued insistence on negotiations and the framework deal, alongside moves linked to the international force in the south. Reports said President Aoun is heading to Rome on Thursday, while others noted that Lebanon’s first option is to extend UNIFIL and fully implement the framework agreement. Newspapers also said 86 MPs submitted a petition to the president to keep the international forces in the south, and that Salam said Guterres showed understanding. In the same context, reports referred to an increase in Israeli strikes in the south, to Hezbollah offering to hand over Ali al-Tahir to the army in exchange for completing withdrawals, and to a Yarzeh meeting discussing the escalation and framework arrangements.