Lebanon wants Israel security deal as prelude to peace

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for international support for Lebanon's military as it disarms Iran-backed Hezbollah, potentially paving the way for a security agreement with Israel, according to an exclusive interview with AFP. Aoun stated that this security deal could serve as a precursor to a future peace agreement, but emphasized that negotiations were necessary, as war would be extremely costly.

The Lebanese president reiterated his firm stance on disarming Hezbollah, dismissing it as non-negotiable. With the UN peacekeeping mandate set to expire at the end of the year, Aoun sought European or other international forces to prevent a security vacuum. He assured that the objective was not confrontation, emphasizing the determination to resolve the issue peacefully and avoid a new civil war.

Aoun also stressed the importance of maintaining mutual respect and non-interference with Iran in Lebanon's internal affairs. With UNIFIL's mandate ending, Aoun expressed hope for a temporary force to fill the gap until the Lebanese army can take over.