Seventh round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations... Aoun calls for issuing the verdict six years after the port explosion

Beirut - Mansour Shaaban: The seventh round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, under US sponsorship, convened today in the Italian capital, Rome. US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa announced in a statement that: “The talks in Rome are still ongoing, and I hope that both governments will succeed in reaching positive results. There is still a great deal of technical work required to ensure the safety of civilians on the ground.”

He emphasized that there is a fundamental difference between drafting an agreement on paper and implementing it responsibly, noting that rushing forward could endanger the very civilians the process aims to protect. He added: “We believe that taking the necessary time to get this work done right from the start is the optimal choice, as it will help subsequent pilot areas launch more efficiently. Above all, the two parties must agree on a clear and practical mechanism before embarking on the next phase.”

Following his meeting with President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, MP Alan Aoun noted that “what we see today is that the external track is no longer proceeding as expected, and the Lebanese track remains, which requires all of us to contribute to its success. This track is based on the principle of restricting weapons to the state, thereby removing one of the main pretexts Israel uses to justify its presence in Lebanon.”

He continued: “Therefore, the requirement is not to remain in a circle of disputes among Lebanese, but to come together and discuss how we can achieve these goals. This requires placing all the leverage that Lebanese possess at the disposal of the President of the Republic during negotiations, as this is how this track succeeds. Relying solely on skepticism or accusations will yield no results and will not extricate Lebanon from its crisis. We are all facing a single predicament.”

Minister of Information Paul Maroun conveyed that Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, during a ministerial meeting at the Presidential Palace yesterday, spoke of “seeking successive Israeli withdrawals from Lebanese territories, leading to a complete withdrawal from Lebanon.”

Regarding Israeli explosions and the use of phosphorus bombs, Salam pointed to the communications he and President Aoun are conducting: “whether through the mechanism or with friendly and sister countries around the world, to mobilize international support to stop these attacks.”

Meanwhile, today, Tuesday, marks the sixth anniversary of the Beirut port explosions on August 4, 2020, which is observed as an official holiday of mourning for the victims. Speaking on this occasion, President Aoun said: “This anniversary is not merely a moment for mourning, but a constant reminder of an inalienable duty: the duty of truth, justice, and accountability. The wound will not heal, and the country will not regain trust in its institutions, unless the path of justice is completed to its end. From this perspective, I affirm that the issuance of the indictment by the investigating judge has become a necessity that cannot tolerate further delay. Justice does not mean revenge; it means upholding the right, uncovering the full and unadulterated truth, and holding accountable anyone who neglected, failed, or caused this disaster, regardless of their position or status.”

He stressed that “the Lebanese judiciary is called upon today more than ever to prove its independence and its ability to deliver justice to the victims. The indictment is not merely a legal procedure, but a right of the martyrs upon the living, and a right of their families who have waited long for their children’s souls to find peace and for their suffering to end with full knowledge of the truth. As we stand today before this painful anniversary, we renew our pledge that the rule of law is the only guarantee against the recurrence of this tragedy.”

To the south, the Israeli army drew a map of fire by once again dropping phosphorus bombs, which ignited olive groves and pine forests in Yaron, Haroun, and the city of Bint Jbeil, taking advantage of the August heatwave in Lebanon. Meanwhile, residents of the western sector live in a state of extreme panic due to the massive explosions that occurred in Mansouri and Majdal Zoun. The “Gathering of Sons of Border Southern Towns” issued a statement calling for a “halt to negotiations” with Israel.