Aoun Discusses Bilateral Relations and Agreements Between the Two Countries with the Syrian Chargé d'Affaires
Beirut – Mansour Shaaban: Official monitoring of the ground situation in southern Lebanon continues, particularly following the incursion of an Israeli force comprising infantry elements and a D9 military bulldozer, which advanced approximately 50 meters from a Lebanese Army position near the reservoir in the town of Zoutar al-Gharbiya. The bulldozer uprooted olive trees. Meanwhile, a Merkava tank was observed advancing from the city of Khiam toward the outskirts of Nabe Ebl water source, coinciding with a sweeping operation using machine guns in the vicinity of the spring.
This comes amid ongoing Israeli attacks on towns and villages in various forms, continuous drone flights, and shelling targeting Mansouriya, Wadi al-Salouqi, Nabatieh al-Fouqa, Kafr Binnet, and Mifdoun. The Lebanese capital’s air force also struck Kafr Binnet in the Nabatieh district, while artillery shelling hit Wadi Zibqin and the outskirts of Baraishit, Haddatha, Shqar, Mays, Majdal Zoun, and the adjacent valleys. Additionally, illumination flares were dropped over the towns of Beit Leef and Sarbineh.
President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun discussed this situation with the Acting UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jean Arnault, and also reviewed current local and regional developments. Arnault briefed the President on the outcomes of meetings held during his visits to several countries, including Iran.
The discussions also covered the situation in the region generally, and in Gulf states in particular, in light of the attacks suffered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Houthi militias.
President Aoun also received the “Beirut Declaration 2026” from the 12th Regional Conference of Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies in the Middle East and North Africa, hosted by the Lebanese capital on September 25 and 26.
In a statement, the Lebanese Presidency said that President Aoun received the declaration during his reception of Christian Cardozo, Director of the Regional Mission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in the Middle East, and Robin Romero, Acting Head of the Mission in Lebanon and Iraq, in the presence of Lebanese Red Cross Secretary-General Georges Katani. President Aoun expressed his appreciation for the work carried out by Red Cross and Red Crescent societies “in serving humanity and preserving human dignity.”
The Lebanese Presidency noted that the declaration focused on “strengthening collective action, protection, and the sustainability of national societies in the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as protecting humanitarian service providers, respecting international humanitarian law, and safeguarding civilians in the face of modern warfare means.”
The declaration called for “protecting national societies and preserving their independence, enhancing their role, mobilizing local resources, and strengthening financial sustainability, in addition to investing in volunteers and youth, enhancing preparedness, and making humanitarian diplomacy a coordinated, professional, and continuous approach and set of practices within each national society.”
The declaration also included “a commitment to stand together, protect humanitarian service providers, strengthen national societies, support humanitarian action led locally, and deepen solidarity and partnership.”
President Aoun also received Iyad Al-Hazaa, the Acting Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon, and discussed Lebanese-Syrian relations and ways to develop them across all fields, as well as agreements between the two countries.
In a military development, a statement from the Army Command announced that its commander, Major General Rudolf Haddad, visited Cyprus last week in response to an official invitation from his Cypriot counterpart, National Guard Chief of Staff Major General Emmanuel Theodorou. He also met with Defense Minister Vasilis Pallas, with Major General Theodorou present. The discussions covered the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, matters of mutual interest, and ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries’ armies, amid the challenges facing the region. Meanwhile, the news of the discovery of Lebanese businessman Abdullah Karami, husband of the sister of “Tayr al-Karama” MP Faisal Karami, shot dead in his office in Tripoli, drew significant attention and raised questions among concerned parties regarding the motive and purpose behind the killing. Security agencies, forensic experts, and relevant judicial authorities have taken charge of the case to uncover the circumstances, determine the conditions and motives, and identify the perpetrators.
