Aoun Rejects Israeli Claims Against the Army: They Are Not Based on Tangible Evidence

President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, informed the Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific at the United Nations, Mr. Khaled Khairy, during his reception of him this morning at Baabda Palace, that Lebanon welcomes any assistance provided by the United Nations and friendly countries aimed at stabilizing the south and stopping the ongoing Israeli assaults on civilians and southern villages and towns, which have reached the southern suburbs of Beirut. He stated, "Today marks a full year since the announcement of the ceasefire agreement, and while Lebanon has fully committed to the provisions of this agreement, Israel continues to refuse its implementation and maintains its occupation of parts of the border area, continuing its assaults, indifferent to repeated calls from the international community to adhere to the ceasefire and comply with Security Council Resolution 1701. Moreover, it has targeted international forces operating in the south, 'UNIFIL,' on more than one occasion." President Aoun assured the UN official that he has launched several initiatives aimed at negotiating sustainable solutions to the current situation, but has not received any practical response despite international responsiveness to these initiatives, the latest of which was on the eve of Independence Day. President Aoun pointed out to Mr. Khairy that the relationship between the army and 'UNIFIL' is strong, and coordination between the two sides is ongoing, with cooperation continuing over the next year until the withdrawal of these forces is completed by the end of 2027. It is worth noting that Lebanon wished for these forces to remain until the Lebanese army completes its deployment to the borders, a matter hindered by Israel's failure to withdraw from the hills and lands it occupies. After confirming that the Lebanese army is fully fulfilling its duty in its area of deployment in the south of the Litani River since the very first moment of the announcement of the agreement exactly one year ago, President Aoun rejected the Israeli allegations that target the army's role and cast doubt on its field work, noting that these allegations are not based on any tangible evidence, while pointing out that the 'mechanism' committee has officially documented what the army does daily in the context of preventing armed manifestations, confiscating ammunition, and inspecting tunnels, among other activities.

President Aoun praised the support shown by UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres to Lebanon and the positions he has taken in this regard, conveying his greetings to Mr. Khairy and welcoming the delegation that will visit the region next month, which includes members of the Security Council to closely observe the situation in preparation for submitting a report to the Security Council in this regard.

Mr. Khairy expressed at the beginning of the meeting the UN Secretary-General's support and respect for the courageous decisions taken by President Aoun aimed at achieving stability and security in Lebanon, affirming cooperation with Lebanon to make these goals a reality, especially since the UN Secretary-General is working for peace and stability in Lebanon. Mr. Khairy indicated that his visit to Lebanon is part of assessing the situation on the ground to inform Mr. Guterres and the Security Council about it.

President Aoun received MP Farid Haykal Khazen and discussed with him the latest developments on the local scene, in addition to the preparations for the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon.

After the meeting, MP Khazen stated to reporters: "We confirm that our meeting with His Excellency the President of the Republic included a round of discussions about the situation the country is going through and the difficulty and precision of the phase. However, I want to emphasize that what President Aoun is doing today and the efforts and communications he is making abroad and domestically aimed at sparing Lebanon any escalation or war in the future, God forbid, this effort and the method followed and the policy adopted to address matters, I affirm my support for it with a very high national conviction."

He added: "The phase requires firmness and seriousness in action, rationality, and wisdom. However, it is clear that the position of the Lebanese state today and the position of the President of the Republic in limiting weapons to the state and the army and the exclusivity of the decision of peace and war in the hands of the government and the commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and independence regarding the occupied territories, as Lebanon today is an occupied country, all of this complex file is carried by the President of the Republic with all strength, firmness, and determination. And God willing, the ongoing communications will spare Lebanon escalation in the future."

He continued: "As for the Pope's visit, it undoubtedly has great symbolism, and Lebanon is the last stronghold of Christians in the East, and His Holiness the Pope wanted to dedicate this visit to confirm to the whole world that Lebanon, the message, is still present, and the Vatican is committed to it, supporting it, and insisting that it remains in this leading civilizational and cultural role in the region, Lebanon of coexistence, Lebanon of pluralism. Hence, the first visit of His Holiness Pope Leo among the visits he dedicated to Lebanon came."

He was asked: There is a diplomatic movement towards Lebanon, especially with the increasing pressures to limit weapons; how do you see it?

He answered: It is clear that there are diplomatic pressures because the Israeli government, its president, members, and its cultural and ideological structure are built on war and force, not on peace and reconciliation. Therefore, this government is like a ticking bomb that can explode the situation at any moment. Thus, we see that Lebanon's friends from Arabs and the international community are making good efforts to avoid any war or escalation in the future and to put Lebanon on the right track to start indirect negotiations and reduce escalation and Israel's withdrawal on one hand, and limiting weapons to the state on the other hand.

President Aoun received MP Michel Daher and discussed with him the developments on the local scene, in addition to the situation of the Dahar al-Baydar road.

After the meeting, MP Daher stated to reporters: "I was honored today to visit President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, and we raised current topics, and we renewed our supportive position for the exclusivity of weapons, as we discussed the elections, and I reaffirm my position regarding the election of the 128 deputies in Lebanon. However, the most important issue is the Dahar al-Baydar road, which has become known as the road of death. I raised with His Excellency the President that this issue requires treatment and the completion of the Arab highway. I had contacted President Nawaf Salam yesterday, and today we will meet with him and with the Minister of Public Works and the Chairman of the Council for Development and Reconstruction, Mr. Mohammad Qabani. We have concerns in Baalbek regarding this road, which has become vital and must be put on track, especially since it should have been completed in 2013, but unfortunately, it stopped, and there is slipping on the road due to land subsidence. The matter must be put on track, and we have a working meeting today with the Prime Minister with the blessing of His Excellency the President."

He concluded by saying: "The Baalbek issue is developmental, and the visit is purely developmental, and we support His Excellency the President in all the matters he is undertaking."

He was asked: What are the reasons for the work stoppage on this road?

He answered: The reason was the slipping of the road, but today what we started in 2008 with a Kuwaiti loan seems that the money has run out. About 20% of Lebanon's population resides in Baalbek, and Syrian imports through the Port of Beirut increase the number of trucks passing through it, making it the road of death as it records daily accidents. There is also the issue of lighting; it is illogical not to have lighting on an international road.

President Aoun received the Chairman of the Board and General Director of the Port of Beirut, Mr. Marwan Nfeih, along with board members Mr. Karim Shabqlo, Mr. Fawzi Allam, Mr. George Rahal, and Ms. Lama Hariz and Ms. Jihan Khattar. During the meeting, Mr. Nfeih thanked on behalf of himself and the board members for the trust of President Aoun and the Council of Ministers in them, emphasizing the desire to work to restore the Port of Beirut's role in Lebanon and its surroundings and to reactivate it to play its role in enhancing the Lebanese economy. He pointed out that the board has several ideas that will be studied for the future of the port.

President Aoun welcomed the board members and wished them success in their new responsibilities to restore the port's vital role, calling on the board members to work with integrity and transparency and to place the public interest above all considerations.

President Aoun received the President of the Lebanese Center for Strategic Planning, Mr. Wissam Maalouf, with a delegation that included the former Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon, François Barra, Dr. Joseph Naim, Dr. Charbel Abdullah, Dr. Judith Altini, and Ms. Nawal Leishaa Aboud and Ms. Nada Asmar.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Maalouf delivered a speech outlining the center's work and objectives, which revolve around developing innovative public policies based on evidence to serve Lebanon. Its mission is to enhance national stability in the long term through strategic planning, institutional reform, and social development. He also indicated that the center works to facilitate dialogue between experts, decision-makers, and international partners to chart a sustainable and inclusive future for the country.

Maalouf noted that the center organized in this context "the International Conference on Positive Neutrality" on its initiative and in partnership with the Faculty of Political Science at Saint Joseph University and the International Center for Neutrality in Geneva. He pointed out that discussions focused on accepting the concept of neutrality, which has become a necessity for Lebanon, referring to different approaches regarding its implementation mechanisms, timing, and priorities, and "experiences have proven that neutrality is not a negative position but a strategy based on three essential pillars: the active, the constructive, and the committed.

Maalouf stated: "You confirmed in your oath speech the importance of exploring the neutrality option as a means to protect Lebanon and stabilize its position in the region, and your speech represented a clear and courageous direction for the state, which intersects significantly with the principles of positive neutrality that we study and seek to establish, and your affirmation of this approach reinforces our conviction that Lebanon stands today at a pivotal moment and an opportunity to redefine its role." He emphasized that including Lebanon's intention to officially adopt positive neutrality in any upcoming negotiation process is a strategic necessity for Lebanon and sends a clear message that Lebanon is moving towards establishing peace and stability, which is an internal guarantee for anyone concerned about the issue of disarming. Maalouf revealed the crystallization of the idea of forming a committee for positive neutrality that includes representatives from parties, experts, academics, and specialists in this field, which will work to follow up on the executive path and manage discussions among various parties, especially regarding constitutional amendments related to neutrality to provide the greatest possible consensus and prepare the ground for this strategic project.

Maalouf presented to President Aoun during the meeting a comprehensive study prepared by the center on the possibility of applying positive neutrality in Lebanon, based on international experiences and research, taking into account Lebanon's political and historical particularities, and including practical recommendations and frameworks that can contribute to supporting President Aoun's efforts in building a strong, sovereign, and unified state under the banner of a single legitimate army.