Lebanese president: Talks with Israel aim to end hostilities

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Monday that negotiations with Israel aim to bring an end to hostilities, asserting that any agreement must be fully and simultaneously implemented. During his visit to Athens, Aoun emphasized Lebanon's commitment to peace and desire to cultivate the best relations with its neighboring countries.

The talks with Israel, which resulted in a framework agreement in June, were initiated to terminate the state of hostility between the two nations. Aoun clarified that the agreement cannot be implemented by one party alone; it must be applied entirely and not selectively, adding that solving the issue through military force is not and will not be a viable solution.

He outlined Lebanon's stance, stating that the only possible solution is to address both the Israeli withdrawal and the exclusive control of Lebanon's armed forces over its territory simultaneously and in parallel. Aoun met with Greek President Konstantinos Tassoulas and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, urging Greece to support Lebanon in implementing the agreement and seek assistance in international forums.

He expressed hope for Greece's support at the United Nations, where Lebanon seeks to maintain an international presence in the south to aid the Lebanese state's rescue plan. Aoun called for ongoing support for the Lebanese army and official armed forces, which are tasked with resolving Lebanon's crises, including the occupation on its land and the presence of weapons outside state authority.