INA-Follow-up
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Beirut seeks to keep Lebanon’s file present on the table of U.S. interests and to reinforce its position there, describing the current situation as extremely difficult and complex.
In a press statement, Aoun said the United States remains the only party capable of exerting pressure on (Israel) to prevent attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs, infrastructure, or the expansion of occupied areas in southern Lebanon. He stressed that Lebanon needs U.S. support to restore full control over its territory.
Aoun emphasized that Lebanese sovereignty “is not subject to concession or interpretation,” and that the state seeks to place the land solely under the authority of the Lebanese Army and legitimate state institutions. He added that Lebanon’s demand is its natural right to extend the authority of its institutions over all its territory.
He noted that Lebanon was not in a position to pursue ideal options given the risk of an expanding war and the enlargement of occupied areas, adding that direct negotiations were the only available option to shorten the period of occupation and facilitate the return of displaced persons.
Aoun also affirmed that the state is responsible for every inch of territory and every citizen, and that Lebanese decisions must be made within legitimate institutions. He rejected the idea of any other party negotiating on behalf of Lebanon.
Regarding the possibility of a meeting at the White House between him and (Israeli) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Aoun considered the idea to be fundamentally unlikely, while emphasizing that the offices of the presidency are open to all.
Source: News Agencies