President of the Republic Joseph Aoun saluted the parliamentary initiative and petition calling for the extension of UNIFIL forces in the south, stressing that their presence is important in many ways, and contributes to stabilizing the population in their villages and towns, and enhancing stability in cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese army. Aoun stressed that “our first option is to extend UNIFIL forces, and if it is not extended, the second option is to adopt a formula that guarantees the continued presence of international forces in the south, provided that these forces are alongside the Lebanese army, to support stability and implement the tasks assigned to them.” He added: “Israel rejects the presence of UNIFIL forces and has been pressing in this direction for nearly a year, while we demand that they remain.” He continued: “The basic idea is to create a breach that ensures the continued international presence in the south, whether through extending UNIFIL forces or through international forces supporting them, in a way that strengthens the state’s role.”