Aoun: War has rules, international law imposes clear obligations, and Israel is no exception
Beirut – Mansour Shaaban
President General Joseph Aoun stated that “war has rules, and international humanitarian law imposes clear obligations on all parties to the conflict, with Israel being no exception.” He added, “Protecting medics, medical and humanitarian teams, and ensuring their safe access to those in need, as well as respecting the emblems of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, is not a matter of choice; it is a legal and humanitarian duty. Medics must not be made targets.”
During the 12th Regional Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in the Middle East and North Africa, President Aoun emphasized that “it is the state’s duty to protect the mission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and to help ensure the continuity of their services.” He called on “Lebanese people, friends of Lebanon, and its partners to stand alongside the Lebanese Red Cross, just as it has always stood alongside them.”
Meanwhile, Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Dosari, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Lebanon, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Lebanese Republic are bound by strong historical brotherly relations across all levels and sectors. He noted that the Kingdom stands with and supports Lebanon in restoring its sovereignty over its territories and all its resources.
He added, “The Kingdom’s decision to lift the suspension of Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia is clear evidence of its appreciation for the positive efforts undertaken by the Lebanese leadership and government.”
These remarks were made at a reception held to mark the 96th Saudi National Day, attended by former Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, former Prime Ministers Fuad Siniora and Tammam Salam, Lebanese Minister of National Defense Michel Mounzer representing President Aoun, Dr. Fadi Al-Amla, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Lebanese Minister of Culture Ghassan Salamé, a number of current and former Lebanese deputies and ministers, as well as numerous Arab and foreign ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, and various political, media, and social figures.
On the ground, residents of the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon woke up to the smell of smoke rising from columns of smoke resulting from the burning of several homes in the Al-Jalaliya neighborhood, following attacks by the Israeli army. Israeli artillery shelled Zoutar al-Sharqia, Mifdon, and Nabatieh al-Fouqa, while a drone struck the area between the towns of Kafr Tibnit and Nabatieh al-Fouqa. Israeli fighter jets flew at medium altitude over the Baalbek area.
An Israeli military force also infiltrated the agricultural lands of the town of Kafr Shouba, which borders the frontier directly, in addition to shelling Al-Habariya in the Aqoub region.
In New York, Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Youssef Raji met with Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie, to discuss preparations for the 20th Francophonie Summit, to be held in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, from November 15 to 16, 2026. He informed her that Lebanon would participate at a high level and explained the current situation and the difficulties of the phase Lebanon is going through, particularly regarding Israeli attacks and the state’s monopoly over weapons. He affirmed Lebanon’s commitment to continuing negotiations with Israel.
Mushikiwabo responded by stating that Lebanon is close to the organization, expressing her desire to identify the best ways to assist it.
Meanwhile, Major General Edmond Laundos, Director General of the Lebanese State Security Directorate, addressed the troops in a “Commander’s Message” on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the establishment of the State Security Directorate, during a symbolic military ceremony. He stated that this anniversary comes at a critical security phase in which Lebanon faces major challenges and risks, calling for greater effort and sacrifice, elevating performance to meet the aspirations of the nation’s sons, and safeguarding the state, its institutions, and its prestige.
