President of the Republic Joseph Aoun informed the UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, during a meeting today at Baabda Palace, in the presence of British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, that "the Israeli attacks on Lebanon have resulted in more than a thousand casualties, hundreds of wounded, and the displacement of around one million Lebanese citizens, in addition to the massive destruction inflicted on Lebanese towns and villages that were bombed."
President Aoun stressed that "Lebanon cannot fight others’ wars on its own territory, and this what the Council of ministers affirmed in the decision it adopted a few weeks ago."
Aoun added that "the decisions taken by the government regarding the exclusivity of arms and the authority over decisions of peace and war are irreversible, as they are in line with the Constitution, the Taif Agreement, the presidential oath speech, and the government’s ministerial statement."
The Head of State also pointed out that "this war could have been avoided if Israel had responded to Lebanon’s, Arab countries’ and the international community’s calls to withdraw from the territories it occupied in 2004, and if it had complied with the agreement reached at the time under American and French auspices."
The President also affirmed to the British official that "the negotiation initiative he launched a few days ago is still ongoing and has received significant regional and international support. What remains is for Israel to respond to calls for a ceasefire and to activate this initiative," noting that "Israel’s bombing of bridges aims to isolate villages and towns south of the Litani river from the rest of the Lebanese regions, with the negative repercussions that this condemned act will cause."
President Aoun added that "the meetings he is holding with senior officials and political parties aim to strengthen internal security and stability, reinforce national unity, and preserve the cohesion of Lebanese society," expressing confidence that "the Lebanese people stand united in the face of current challenges."
President Aoun thanked Admiral Edward Ahlgren for the support the UK provides to Lebanon in general and to the Lebanese Army in particular.
For his part, Admiral Edward Ahlgren conveyed his country's support for Lebanon amid the difficult circumstances it is facing, affirming solidarity with the friendly Lebanese people in their suffering.
President Aoun stressed that "Lebanon cannot fight others’ wars on its own territory, and this what the Council of ministers affirmed in the decision it adopted a few weeks ago."
Aoun added that "the decisions taken by the government regarding the exclusivity of arms and the authority over decisions of peace and war are irreversible, as they are in line with the Constitution, the Taif Agreement, the presidential oath speech, and the government’s ministerial statement."
The Head of State also pointed out that "this war could have been avoided if Israel had responded to Lebanon’s, Arab countries’ and the international community’s calls to withdraw from the territories it occupied in 2004, and if it had complied with the agreement reached at the time under American and French auspices."
The President also affirmed to the British official that "the negotiation initiative he launched a few days ago is still ongoing and has received significant regional and international support. What remains is for Israel to respond to calls for a ceasefire and to activate this initiative," noting that "Israel’s bombing of bridges aims to isolate villages and towns south of the Litani river from the rest of the Lebanese regions, with the negative repercussions that this condemned act will cause."
President Aoun added that "the meetings he is holding with senior officials and political parties aim to strengthen internal security and stability, reinforce national unity, and preserve the cohesion of Lebanese society," expressing confidence that "the Lebanese people stand united in the face of current challenges."
President Aoun thanked Admiral Edward Ahlgren for the support the UK provides to Lebanon in general and to the Lebanese Army in particular.
For his part, Admiral Edward Ahlgren conveyed his country's support for Lebanon amid the difficult circumstances it is facing, affirming solidarity with the friendly Lebanese people in their suffering.
