The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, suggested that Lebanon welcomes the announcement issued by French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding seeking to form an international coalition to establish a mechanism for the post-UNIFIL operation in southern Lebanon.
President Aoun considered that this initiative represents “a sincere expression of the international commitment to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, and a true appreciation for the role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces in maintaining security and extending state authority over its entire territory, especially in the southern border areas.”
He expressed his appreciation for the joint French-Italian emphasis on the necessity of not leaving any dangerous vacuum in the post-UNIFIL phase, noting that this approach is consistent with the firm Lebanese vision that considers the Lebanese army to be the only and true guarantee of the security of the south and the preservation of the country’s sovereignty.
The President of the Republic affirmed that Lebanon is looking forward to any international formula that enhances the capabilities of the Lebanese Army, preserves the unity of the Lebanese territories, and prevents turning the country into an arena for escalation or regional tensions, reiterating Lebanon’s openness to coordination with its international partners in a way that serves the interest of the Lebanese people and enhances stability in the region.
