In a series of statements delineating Lebanon's approach to upcoming challenges, including weapon control and future relations with Israel, President Michel Aoun has affirmed the nation's resolve to centralize weapons under state control without fostering internal conflict. He also revealed Lebanon's intention to establish a security agreement with Israel to end hostilities, alongside exploring alternatives to UNIFIL and seeking international and regional support for the Lebanese army.
In an interview with AFP, Aoun stated, "Lebanon seeks to reach a security agreement with Israel, which would end hostilities," outlining the objective that Lebanon pursues in its current dialogue with Israel.
Regarding weaponry, the President emphasized the state's determination to control arms, insisting on achieving this goal "without inciting internal conflict."
Aoun also addressed the future of Southern Lebanon following the expiration of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate, asserting that Lebanon aims to identify a replacement force to prevent any void.
He stated, "The crucial point is to avoid any vacuum. Any incoming force, under any name, should have a legal framework, with the core principle of this framework being state sovereignty."
Aoun insisted that the presence of any force in Southern Lebanon should aim at "supporting the army and strengthening the state, not substituting it," underscoring that any future security arrangement must be rooted in the state's sovereignty and the role of its institutions.
Simultaneously, Aoun called for American, European, and Arab support for the Lebanese army, linking the military’s required tasks with the resources that should be made available to it.
He stated, "What you expect from the army requires assistance to the Lebanese state," adding, "We will assume our responsibilities, but our partners, the Arab and European countries and the USA, should bear responsibilities with us by supporting the army and fortifying the Lebanese state."
Aoun's remarks come at a crucial time as Lebanon grapples with interconnected issues, primarily strengthening state authority and centralizing arms, supporting the military to fulfill its duties, and deliberating over security arrangements post-UNIFIL. Concurrently, the dialogue with Israel remains a significant topic, with Aoun declaring Lebanon's objective of achieving a security deal to terminate hostilities.