Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday at Baabda Palace, where talks focused on Lebanon’s reform efforts and ongoing tensions with Israel.

Aoun stressed the urgency of implementing reforms, describing them as a domestic priority rather than merely a response to international or regional pressure.

“Reform is a Lebanese need, not just a demand from abroad,” Aoun said during the meeting.

Addressing the situation in southern Lebanon, Aoun condemned Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanese territory, asserting that it obstructs the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

“Israel’s ongoing occupation of lands and hills in the south hinders the implementation of Resolution 1701 and contradicts the agreement reached last November,” he said.

He further noted that Israel had rejected Lebanon’s proposals to evacuate five disputed hills and continues to hold Lebanese detainees.

For her part, Baerbock underscored the importance of advancing reforms, reaffirming Germany’s support for Lebanon’s stability. She also expressed concern over conditions in the south and along the Lebanese-Syrian border.