Lebanese President Aoun Advocates Negotiation for Southern Stability, Blames Israel for Military Deployment Issues

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met today with Anne-Claire Le Gendre, political advisor to the French President, to discuss the situation in southern Lebanon and prospects for stability.

During the meeting, President Aoun emphasized that, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, "the continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese land and ongoing hostile actions are preventing the Lebanese army from deploying in the region south of the Litani River to the international border, as stipulated in the November 2024 agreement."

In response to media campaigns against the army, President Aoun stated that "the Lebanese army follows its orders precisely, contrary to what Israel promotes in its campaigns aimed at undermining the army's capabilities and its role, which enjoys support from all Lebanese citizens who appreciate the army's efforts to protect southern residents and ensure public safety." He noted that "12 soldiers have lost their lives while carrying out their missions," asserting that "claims of the army's shortcomings are pure slander."

He further indicated that "moral support for the army is insufficient for it to fully perform its role; it requires military equipment and resources," suggesting that this should be addressed through a conference to support the Lebanese army, which the French President is working to convene in coordination with the United States and Saudi Arabia.

President Aoun also stressed the need to prepare a reconstruction conference, which is essential for allowing residents of the south, whose villages and homes have been destroyed, to return and rebuild. He expressed surprise at how some countries adopt Israel's narrative regarding Lebanon's non-compliance with the November 2024 agreement while ignoring Israel's ongoing aggression and violations of international will, particularly that of the agreement's guarantors, France and the United States.

For her part, French advisor Anne-Claire Le Gendre confirmed that her country "will work to establish stability in the south and activate the functioning of the 'mechanism' as desired by Lebanon."

It is noteworthy that President Aoun welcomed "any European participation in maintaining stability following the withdrawal of 'UNIFIL' in coordination with the army, which is set to increase its troop numbers to 10,000 by the end of this year."