Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that Lebanon informed the American side, which has been making efforts, that a ceasefire is a necessary first step for any later negotiations. He said this position was reiterated in two meetings held at ambassador level on April 14 and 23, and was clearly included in a statement issued by the US State Department after the first meeting. He noted that paragraph three of that statement confirmed that Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, whether civilian, military, or other state-related targets, on Lebanese territory by land, sea, or air.
He added that this is the official position of the Lebanese state regarding developments in Lebanon or Washington, and that Lebanon is not concerned with any other statements that do not carry official approval. He questioned those who accuse the presidency of moving toward negotiations without national consensus, asking whether national consensus existed when others decided to go to war.
Aoun said that before negotiations even began, some had already accused the state of surrender and betrayal, and he responded by saying they should wait for the talks to begin before judging the outcome. He asked how long people in the south would continue to pay the price of wars fought by others on Lebanese territory, referring to what he described as the wars in support of Gaza and Iran. He said that if a war were truly for Lebanon, it would be supported, but when it serves external interests, he rejects it completely.
He stressed that what is being done is not betrayal, and that betrayal is committed by those who drag their country into war for external interests. He said his duty is to take responsibility for his decisions and lead the country toward a way out of the current situation, within established principles. He added that his objective is to end the state of war with Israel in a manner similar to the Armistice Agreement, and asked whether that agreement was ever considered humiliating. He concluded that he will not accept any agreement that is based on humiliation.
He added that this is the official position of the Lebanese state regarding developments in Lebanon or Washington, and that Lebanon is not concerned with any other statements that do not carry official approval. He questioned those who accuse the presidency of moving toward negotiations without national consensus, asking whether national consensus existed when others decided to go to war.
Aoun said that before negotiations even began, some had already accused the state of surrender and betrayal, and he responded by saying they should wait for the talks to begin before judging the outcome. He asked how long people in the south would continue to pay the price of wars fought by others on Lebanese territory, referring to what he described as the wars in support of Gaza and Iran. He said that if a war were truly for Lebanon, it would be supported, but when it serves external interests, he rejects it completely.
He stressed that what is being done is not betrayal, and that betrayal is committed by those who drag their country into war for external interests. He said his duty is to take responsibility for his decisions and lead the country toward a way out of the current situation, within established principles. He added that his objective is to end the state of war with Israel in a manner similar to the Armistice Agreement, and asked whether that agreement was ever considered humiliating. He concluded that he will not accept any agreement that is based on humiliation.
