ISTANBUL, Jan 19 (Bernama-AA)-- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed on Saturday Lebanon’s commitment to Israel’s withdrawal from occupied southern territories within the timeline set by a ceasefire agreement, which is set to expire in seven days, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Lazzarini emphasised that the agreement is only the first step in addressing the region’s overwhelming humanitarian challenges.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Saturday a "more hopeful" future awaits Lebanon after meeting its new leaders in a two-day visit ahead of a deadline for implementing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

Netanyahu says US will back return to war with only hours until Gaza ceasefire - The ceasefire deal was signed off by Israel’s government on Saturday morning - but attacks have continued on the Gaza S

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that Israel's continued violations of Lebanese sovereignty and the ceasefire agreement represent a clear breach of international commitments.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with visiting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday, during which he urged Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon within the deadline set by the Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire deal.

Lebanon’s new president’s comments come after the UN chief called on Israel to end its ‘occupation’ of southern Lebanon.

This will pause the fighting after 15 months of war and see the release of dozens of hostages held by the militants in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

The first phase of the ceasefire, set to last 42 days, will see the exchange of 33 hostages for 737 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire are scheduled to begin after two weeks,

"It is now essential to see the withdrawal of the Israel Defense forces from Lebanese territory and the simultaneous deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces across southern Lebanon in the agreed timeframe," Guterres said at a press conference held in Beirut to conclude his two-day visit to the country.

The ceasefire agreement, signed on November 27, requires the Lebanese army to deploy alongside UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon within 60 days, as the Israeli army withdraws. Hezbollah must also move its forces north of the Litani River and dismantle its southern military infrastructure.