President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed to a delegation of mayors from southern border villages that the reconstruction of destroyed and damaged towns in the south is a top priority, in order to facilitate the return of residents to their homes and land. He stressed that “all talk about empty zones or economic areas is merely speculation that has never been raised with us.”

Separately, Aoun told a delegation from the family of retired Captain Ahmad Shukr that the file of detainees and prisoners held in Israel is being followed up on a daily basis and is on the agenda of negotiations before the “mechanism” committee. He added that security agencies have uncovered the circumstances surrounding Shukr’s abduction and are continuing investigations with one of the suspects arrested in connection with the case.