Lebanese President Reaffirms Commitment to Diplomatic Solutions and Avoiding Armed Conflict Burdens

Beirut, October 19 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated on Monday his country’s commitment to relying on “diplomatic solutions” to address current challenges and avoid the burdens of armed conflicts, which have heavily weighed on the people of the southern regions. He emphasized the priority of restoring Lebanon’s security and stability.

This came in a statement from the Lebanese Presidency following President Aoun’s reception of Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Araby and his accompanying delegation, which included several officials and advisors from the League’s Committee and Secretariat, at Baabda Palace in Beirut.

The statement quoted Aoun as saying during the meeting that “Lebanon is committed to a diplomatic solution,” despite its difficulties, because it is far less costly than the destructive war that Lebanese people, especially those in the south, have paid a heavy price for. He expressed his welcome for any effort and initiative by the Arab League to help Lebanon overcome “this difficult phase it is going through.”

President Aoun outlined the dimensions of the current situation in Lebanon and the state’s efforts to enforce national peace and achieve recovery, amid ongoing violations and encroachments by the Israeli occupation forces and the impending end of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of this year. He pointed out the Israeli occupation’s non-compliance with the (Framework Agreement) understandings and its insistence on hostile practices in the south, which hinder the state’s efforts to enforce security across its entire territory. He stressed that the occupation’s practices “will not diminish the Lebanese people’s determination to hold onto their land and legitimate rights.”

He commended the Arab League for standing by Lebanon through various stages over the past decades, and congratulated Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Araby on assuming his new position.

For his part, Secretary-General al-Araby affirmed, according to the statement, the League’s full commitment to supporting the Lebanese state and institutions, preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty, and assisting it in securing its rights. He indicated his intention to conduct a field visit tomorrow, Tuesday, to the south to assess the situation and carry out necessary Arab and international communications to provide the required support.

In the same context, al-Araby clarified in a press conference following the meeting that his visit to Lebanon comes within the framework of a collective Arab mandate to follow up on vital files in the region, noting that the Lebanese file tops the Arab League’s work priorities. He stressed the unified Arab position, based on recent ministerial decisions, which rejects Israeli occupation violations and supports Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability. He affirmed efforts toward “crystallizing” practical steps and intensive diplomatic coordination to support Lebanese state institutions and meet the needs of its citizens. (End) F.Z. / A.S.