Lebanese President Aoun rejects settlement at the expense of the country’s interests — Asharq Al-Awsat

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that any political settlement must not come at the expense of the country and its national interests. He called for strengthening national unity and warned against seeking support abroad in domestic political confrontation, as this, he said, serves the interests of Lebanon’s enemies, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.

Aoun stressed that Lebanon cannot be built by a single group, religious community or political party. He called for overcoming differences, developing dialogue among citizens and placing the national interest above other considerations. According to the president, this is necessary to restore trust and ensure stability in the country.

Salam’s talks in New York

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and other officials.

During the talks, Salam raised the issues of the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and an end to attacks, strengthening the capabilities of the Lebanese Army, as well as maintaining an international presence in the south of the country after the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, ends. He also stressed the need to extend state authority across the entire territory of the country and keep weapons exclusively under state control.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Reconstruction and humanitarian situation

During the meeting with Guterres, the prime minister stressed the need for an international presence supported by the UN in southern Lebanon after the UNIFIL mission ends. According to him, this will contribute to stability and the extension of state authority in the region.

Salam also noted that about 329,000 displaced people remain in Lebanon. He called for moving from emergency assistance to supporting people’s return, restoring basic services and reconstruction. Separately, the head of government requested international support for reforms, the country’s recovery and investment in energy, transport and regional connectivity.

Addressing the Lebanese community in New York, Salam said that the government had made difficult decisions and launched a reform programme. He linked economic recovery and attracting investment to stability, the return of residents to the south of the country and ensuring the state’s exclusive right to make decisions on war and peace.