Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated his commitment to proceeding with the negotiation path with Israel, emphasizing that this is a strategic choice that will not be reversed under any pressure. Aoun clarified that the Lebanese state is committed to its full sovereignty in all diplomatic and field steps it takes during this sensitive phase.
President Aoun's statements came during his reception of a delegation from the 'Strong Republic' bloc, headed by Samir Geagea, at Baabda Palace, where the two sides reviewed the latest political developments. Aoun noted that criticisms targeting the principle of direct negotiation lack objectivity, reminding that Lebanese history has witnessed similar negotiation milestones since the 1949 Armistice Agreement.
Aoun considered the 'Framework Agreement' a real opportunity to restore usurped Lebanese rights through diplomatic channels, provided that the Israeli side adheres to the agreed-upon terms. He added that the current momentum provided by the United States gives Beirut additional leverage to pressure Tel Aviv and overcome obstacles to implementing the agreements.
In a direct attack on opponents of this path, the Lebanese President questioned the utility of continuing to make the Lebanese people pay the price for wars that serve the interests of external powers. He affirmed that some seek to keep the Lebanese file merely a pressure card in the hands of regional parties, specifically Iran, which the current official orientation of the state rejects.
On the field level, President Aoun held a meeting with the Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Rodolphe Heikel, which focused on discussing the deteriorating security situation in the border villages. The meeting addressed the military institution's plans to deal with continuous Israeli aggressions and ensure the stability of areas experiencing escalating tensions.
The military meeting discussed the logistical arrangements for implementing the 'Framework Agreement' in what are known as the 'experimental areas' in southern Lebanon, where the army is scheduled to take over. The plan includes a wide deployment of Lebanese military units concurrently with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from those specified points.
Informed sources reported that coordination between the presidency and the army command will intensify in the coming days, with the anticipation of a high-level American military delegation arriving in the capital, Beirut. The American delegation aims to finalize the mechanisms for the Israeli withdrawal and ensure that no security breaches occur during the transfer of control.
At this stage, Lebanese authorities are seeking to obtain firm international guarantees to prevent Israel from reneging on its commitments, especially after previous attempts to backtrack on certain understandings were observed. Beirut considers field commitment to be the true test of the success of the negotiation path sponsored by Washington.
In a related context, it was decided to move the next round of negotiations from the American capital, Washington, to the Italian city of Rome, based on new diplomatic arrangements. This change came after American assurances to Beirut of the continued direct role of the United States as a mediator and guarantor in the anticipated tripartite talks.
It is expected that the Rome round of negotiations will begin in the middle of this month, where Lebanon will be represented by an official delegation authorized to discuss the executive steps for withdrawal. The Lebanese side links its participation to the necessity of achieving tangible progress on the ground, starting with the end of the Israeli military presence in the areas covered by the initial understandings.
I will not back down from the decision to negotiate that I have made, which enshrines the right of the Lebanese state to negotiate on its own and extricates the country from the repercussions of war.
شارك برأيك
Aoun Adheres to Negotiation Path, Lebanese Army Prepares for Deployment in 'Experimental Areas'