By Ahmed J Versi
London, (The Muslim News): In an exclusive interview with Editor of The Muslim News, Ahmed J Versi, Ambassador of Lebanon to the UK, Rami Mortada, has spoken out regarding the current situation in Lebanon and Israel’s refusal to comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement. According to Mortada, when the ceasefire was agreed upon in November, it was clearly stipulated that Israel should have withdrawn from Lebanese territories by January 27. However, Israel failed to do so, citing various pretexts, which Mortada describes as flawed.
In response to the failure of Israel to honour the agreement, Lebanon extended the ceasefire until February 18, with hopes that international pressure would compel Israel to withdraw from the territories it occupied during the recent war. Mortada emphasized the uncertainty this creates for Lebanon, as Israel’s continued presence in occupied territories remains a concern. He stated, “As long as they have not withdrawn, we cannot consider the issue settled.”
Lebanon, Mortada confirmed, has fully adhered to its commitments under the ceasefire, including the restraint of its military forces. In contrast, Israel has continued to violate Lebanese sovereignty through air and land incursions, as well as persistent bombing. He stressed that while Lebanon has exercised self-restraint, Israel has not honoured its side of the agreement.
Looking ahead, Mortada expressed hope that Lebanon’s renewed political momentum, bolstered by the election of a new president and the formation of a new government, will lead to stronger international pressure on Israel. He noted that the United States and France played crucial roles in facilitating the ceasefire in November and have publicly stated that Israel should comply with the terms of the agreement.
Mortada pointed to Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the U.S. as an opportunity to gauge whether international pressure would succeed in compelling Israel to fulfill its obligations.
Mortada also warned of the growing concerns in southern Lebanon, where Israel has been engaging in demolition activities and ravaging towns. This behaviour, he suggests, may point to a hidden agenda by Israel regarding its intentions for the region. The Lebanese ambassador emphasized that Lebanon will not accept the continuation of Israeli occupation in the south, as this would open a painful chapter of Israeli occupation reminiscent of the situation in 1982.
He stressed that Lebanon’s ambition is to establish a sustainable and permanent arrangement at the border that respects its sovereign rights, including its territorial integrity and sovereignty over land, sea, and air. However, he noted that Israel appears to have a different perspective, creating significant uncertainty for Lebanon.
Furthermore, Mortada acknowledged the vital role of the UK in securing the ceasefire agreement and praised its efforts in calling for an immediate ceasefire and supporting the full implementation of the agreement. He believes that the UK, along with other international partners, will continue to push for Israel’s adherence to its commitments.
Internally, Lebanon is experiencing a positive development after years of political stagnation. The Lebanese parliament has successfully elected a new president, and a new prime minister is expected to form a government in the coming days. This, Mortada believes, will allow Lebanon to address long-overdue challenges, such as the situation in southern Lebanon, the reconstruction of war-torn areas, and the ongoing economic crisis. Additionally, Lebanon is actively reaching out to its regional partners, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, to renew relationships and promote mutual benefit.
Regarding relations with Syria, Mortada emphasized the importance of stability in the neighbouring country, given the shared 85% land border. He noted that Lebanon is closely monitoring the situation in Syria and hopes that the new government will foster an inclusive, democratic, and stable environment, which would benefit both nations and contribute to regional stability.
In conclusion, Ambassador Mortada reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to upholding the ceasefire terms and urged the international community to exert pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations, thereby ensuring peace and stability in the region.
[Photo: Lebanese Ambassador to UK, Rami Mortada/Photo courtesy Lebanon Embassy]
