Aoun meets Dutch and British Officials, reaffirms commitment to stability
11/4/2025 5:22:00 PM
President of the Republic Joseph Aoun welcomed Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans at Baabda Palace, in the presence of Lebanese Defence Minister Michel Menassa.
President Aoun told the visiting minister that “it is in Europe’s interest for Lebanon to remain stable,” while expressing appreciation for the Netherlands’ continued support to the Lebanese Army and reaffirming Lebanon’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations across various sectors.
During the meeting, the President reviewed the overall situation in Lebanon, particularly in the South, and outlined the army’s missions across the country. He reiterated that Lebanon has fully adhered to the agreement announced in November 2024, while Israel continues to violate it through persistent attacks on Lebanese territory, especially in the South and the Bekaa, and by retaining Lebanese detainees.
President Aoun stressed that European support is vital, urging European nations to play an active role in pressuring Israel to cease its aggression, withdraw from occupied Lebanese lands, and end the current state of tension.
For his part, Minister Brekelmans reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting the Lebanese Army, commending its nationwide role, particularly in the South, in preserving security and stability. He also expressed his country’s willingness to assist Lebanon and encourage investment, noting the importance of completing the reforms launched by the Lebanese government. The Dutch minister extended an official invitation to President Aoun to visit the Netherlands.
President Aoun also met with Hamish Falconer, the UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, in the presence of British Ambassador Hamish Cowell. Discussions focused on the situation in Lebanon, especially in the South, following Falconer’s field visit to the region, where he inspected Lebanese Army and UNIFIL deployment sites and the border observation towers project funded by the UK.
Falconer praised the Lebanese Army’s coordination with UNIFIL and its efforts in maintaining security south of the Litani River.
President Aoun thanked the United Kingdom for its continued support, particularly in building observation towers along the eastern and northern borders, and the ongoing construction of similar towers in the South. He reaffirmed that the army has been fully performing its duties since its deployment south of the Litani, under the November 2024 agreement, noting that Israel’s continued occupation and repeated violations of UNSC Resolution 1701 hinder full implementation.
The President underscored the need to reactivate the monitoring committee (“mechanism”), which documents all field developments, including the dismantling of armed presence, closure of tunnels, and confiscation of weapons, to ensure that the southern region remains free of any non-state arms.
He warned that Israel’s daily aggressions against the South and the Bekaa perpetuate instability and endanger civilians’ lives and property, emphasizing that Lebanon’s choice of negotiation to end the occupation is a unified national position.
President Aoun added that the army is implementing the state’s exclusive-arms policy, submitting regular reports to the Cabinet, and working on collecting weapons from Palestinian camps. He called on the international community to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories so that the Lebanese state can fully restore security and begin reconstruction in the devastated southern towns, with the support of friendly donor nations, stressing that reconstruction cannot proceed amid ongoing insecurity.
President Aoun also met with former U.S. Ambassador David Hale, with discussions focusing on the general situation in Lebanon, developments in the South, and regional dynamics.
He further received MP Melhem Riachi, representing Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, who stressed the need to hold parliamentary elections on schedule and discussed progress in implementing the state’s arms-exclusive plan.
In addition, President Aoun welcomed Mohammed Al-Dosari, President of the International Minifootball Federation, accompanied by Secretary General Hussein Al-Asam, Director of International Relations Khaled Al-Hadid, Palestinian Federation President Hussam Al-Hussein, Lebanese Federation President Ahmad Al-Dannash, and Secretary General Antoine Nayel.
Al-Dosari briefed the President on the federation’s activities and expressed interest in holding a major international tournament in Lebanon, given its growing reputation as a regional sports hub.
President Aoun welcomed the proposal, affirming Lebanon’s readiness to host Arab and international sporting events, noting that “sports instill values, discipline, and keep youth away from harmful influences.”
President Aoun told the visiting minister that “it is in Europe’s interest for Lebanon to remain stable,” while expressing appreciation for the Netherlands’ continued support to the Lebanese Army and reaffirming Lebanon’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations across various sectors.
During the meeting, the President reviewed the overall situation in Lebanon, particularly in the South, and outlined the army’s missions across the country. He reiterated that Lebanon has fully adhered to the agreement announced in November 2024, while Israel continues to violate it through persistent attacks on Lebanese territory, especially in the South and the Bekaa, and by retaining Lebanese detainees.
President Aoun stressed that European support is vital, urging European nations to play an active role in pressuring Israel to cease its aggression, withdraw from occupied Lebanese lands, and end the current state of tension.
For his part, Minister Brekelmans reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting the Lebanese Army, commending its nationwide role, particularly in the South, in preserving security and stability. He also expressed his country’s willingness to assist Lebanon and encourage investment, noting the importance of completing the reforms launched by the Lebanese government. The Dutch minister extended an official invitation to President Aoun to visit the Netherlands.
President Aoun also met with Hamish Falconer, the UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, in the presence of British Ambassador Hamish Cowell. Discussions focused on the situation in Lebanon, especially in the South, following Falconer’s field visit to the region, where he inspected Lebanese Army and UNIFIL deployment sites and the border observation towers project funded by the UK.
Falconer praised the Lebanese Army’s coordination with UNIFIL and its efforts in maintaining security south of the Litani River.
President Aoun thanked the United Kingdom for its continued support, particularly in building observation towers along the eastern and northern borders, and the ongoing construction of similar towers in the South. He reaffirmed that the army has been fully performing its duties since its deployment south of the Litani, under the November 2024 agreement, noting that Israel’s continued occupation and repeated violations of UNSC Resolution 1701 hinder full implementation.
The President underscored the need to reactivate the monitoring committee (“mechanism”), which documents all field developments, including the dismantling of armed presence, closure of tunnels, and confiscation of weapons, to ensure that the southern region remains free of any non-state arms.
He warned that Israel’s daily aggressions against the South and the Bekaa perpetuate instability and endanger civilians’ lives and property, emphasizing that Lebanon’s choice of negotiation to end the occupation is a unified national position.
President Aoun added that the army is implementing the state’s exclusive-arms policy, submitting regular reports to the Cabinet, and working on collecting weapons from Palestinian camps. He called on the international community to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories so that the Lebanese state can fully restore security and begin reconstruction in the devastated southern towns, with the support of friendly donor nations, stressing that reconstruction cannot proceed amid ongoing insecurity.
President Aoun also met with former U.S. Ambassador David Hale, with discussions focusing on the general situation in Lebanon, developments in the South, and regional dynamics.
He further received MP Melhem Riachi, representing Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, who stressed the need to hold parliamentary elections on schedule and discussed progress in implementing the state’s arms-exclusive plan.
In addition, President Aoun welcomed Mohammed Al-Dosari, President of the International Minifootball Federation, accompanied by Secretary General Hussein Al-Asam, Director of International Relations Khaled Al-Hadid, Palestinian Federation President Hussam Al-Hussein, Lebanese Federation President Ahmad Al-Dannash, and Secretary General Antoine Nayel.
Al-Dosari briefed the President on the federation’s activities and expressed interest in holding a major international tournament in Lebanon, given its growing reputation as a regional sports hub.
President Aoun welcomed the proposal, affirming Lebanon’s readiness to host Arab and international sporting events, noting that “sports instill values, discipline, and keep youth away from harmful influences.”