Beirut: Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun Thursday reaffirmed the necessity of confining weapons exclusively to the army and security forces in order to restore the country's capacity to maintain security and confront Israeli violations and aggression.
According to Qatar News Agency, in a speech marking Army Day, which falls Friday, Aoun urged all political parties to approach the issue of weapons control responsibly, under the framework of the constitution and the national charter, describing the current phase as critical and intolerant of provocation or counterproductive one-upmanship.
He pointed to thousands of violations of Lebanese sovereignty by Israel, the killing of hundreds of civilians since the ceasefire declared in November 2024, and the prevention of citizens from returning to their lands and rebuilding homes and villages. He also highlighted the refusal to release prisoners and withdraw from occupied territories.
Despite limited resources and numerous duties, the Lebanese Army, in coordination with the five-party military committee, has successfully extended its authority in the South Litani region, collected weapons, destroyed those unfit for use, and is committed to continuing its mission. This includes recruiting and training over 4,500 soldiers to reinforce deployment in the area, despite Israel's failure to uphold its commitments.
Aoun cautioned against further escalation in the region but underscored his desire to restore a unified state that protects all its citizens, one that empowers its army and security forces.
He noted efforts to reintegrate Lebanon into its Arab and international surroundings, emphasizing Beirut's eagerness to build strong ties with neighboring Syria given the intertwined interests between the two nations.
President Aoun also referenced priorities outlined by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government, which, despite its limited term, has identified six core files while maintaining focus on others. These include rebuilding public trust in the judiciary, reinforcing the principle of justice starting with progress in the Beirut port blast investigation, fighting corruption, securing safety, controlling weapons, and preparing reconstruction plans.
He revealed that next week he will present to the Cabinet substantive amendments to the draft negotiations with the United States aimed at enforcing the ceasefire agreement unanimously approved by the previous government.
The draft includes immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities by air, land, and sea, including assassinations, withdrawal of Israeli forces behind internationally recognized borders, prisoner releases, full Lebanese state control over its territory, disarmament and transfer of all weapons to the army, securing $1 billion annually over ten years from friendly nations to support and strengthen the army and security forces, convening an international donor conference for Lebanon's reconstruction in the fall, and demarcation and confirmation of land and maritime borders with Syria with assistance from the U.S., France, Saudi Arabia, and UN specialists.
The draft also includes the resolution of the Syrian refugee issue, and combating smuggling and drugs while supporting alternative agriculture and industries.