Aoun: Negotiation is an alternative to war, and the agreement ends hostility with Israel

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed, on Thursday, that negotiation is the alternative to war, and that the agreement represents the only means to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel, indicating the continuation of contacts to search for an alternative formula for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

This came during Aoun’s meeting with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, on Thursday, at Baabda Palace, where they discussed developments in the situation in Lebanon and the region.

Aoun said that the Lebanese army is performing its full duty in the areas where it deployed south of the Litani River, in implementation of the framework agreement, noting that Israel is still refraining from implementing its provisions, and is continuing its attacks on southern towns and villages by bombing, destroying, and bulldozing, resulting in more casualties and injuries.

He added that Lebanon is working with the United States, as the sponsor of the agreement, and with friendly countries, to put pressure on Israel to implement the “Framework Agreement,” which came as a result of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under American sponsorship.

The Lebanese President explained that his country chose the diplomatic path, represented by negotiation, as an alternative to war, stressing that the agreement is the only means to end the state of hostility between the two countries.

Regarding the UNIFIL file, Aoun said that Lebanon appreciates the efforts of the European Union to avoid a vacuum in the period after the end of the UN force’s mission, stressing that contacts are continuing to reach an alternative formula, adding that Lebanon wants any alternative force to UNIFIL to be under the banner of the United Nations.

On the other hand, Aoun indicated that Lebanon is looking forward to signing a strategic partnership with the European Union, stressing the existence of an interconnection between Lebanon’s stability, European stability, and regional stability.

For her part, Kaya Callas said that Lebanon is still facing many challenges as a result of the situation in the region, stressing that the European Union will work to support and strengthen the Lebanese army to enable it to carry out its tasks.

Callas stressed that there cannot be a security vacuum in southern Lebanon after the departure of UNIFIL forces, noting that there are discussions about forming an international force to replace the UN forces after the end of their mission.

She added that it would be better to extend the mission of UNIFIL forces in Lebanon, noting that preparations had been completed to send the European training mission to support the Lebanese army.

Callas stressed that security in Lebanon must be within the government's jurisdiction.

For his part, the Lebanese Foreign Minister, Youssef Raji, said that his country looks forward to cooperating with the European Union in the field of security training to strengthen the state’s authority over all Lebanese territories.

Raji added that Lebanon is working to impose state authority, build institutions, and put it on the path to recovery, stressing work to restore state authority and put Lebanon on the path of stability.