Aoun: The continued presence of international forces in southern Lebanon is the optimal means in the next phase
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Friday that the continued presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the south is the optimal means of preserving stability in the coming phase, and that if this proves unfeasible due to Security Council measures, establishing an alternative force is the solution. The office of the Lebanese Presidency stated in a press release that these remarks were made during President Aoun’s reception of the European Union’s ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra van Walsum, along with a delegation of ambassadors and chargés d’affaires from European and foreign embassies, to discuss the general situation and ways of European support for Lebanon.
Aoun stressed that Lebanon is committed to implementing the reforms it has approved, particularly economic ones, considering them “a domestic necessity first and foremost, not to appease anyone.” He emphasized the importance of fiscal discipline and restoring confidence in the banking sector to curb the shadow economy, which constitutes the primary source of the informal economy. The Lebanese president noted that Lebanon cannot return to a path of recovery without comprehensive economic, financial, and banking reforms.
In this regard, he reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the “Framework Agreement,” brokered by the United States, particularly its security provisions and those related to reconstruction through the state exclusively, as well as providing alternatives for the families of the south. President Aoun pointed out that his recent talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington were “productive,” during which the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation was discussed in accordance with the “model areas” (pilot areas) framework, paving the way for the extension of Lebanese state sovereignty over its entire territory.
On the other hand, he stressed prioritizing judicial reforms and adopting e-government to combat corruption, noting that “90 percent of the crises Lebanon has experienced stem from corruption, lack of accountability, and the accumulated consequences of decades of weak governance.” He called on European countries to support the implementation of the “Framework Agreement” and prevent its obstruction by the Israeli occupation, with a view to state-building and advancing the financial and economic sectors.
For her part, Ambassador van Walsum said, according to the statement, that “Lebanon’s future depends on strengthening security, rebuilding strong institutions and an economy, and reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to provide support, concessional loans, and European guarantees for investment,” while commending the results of President Aoun’s visit to Washington.
These developments come within the framework of the operational understandings for implementing the “Framework Agreement” signed between Lebanon and the Israeli occupation under US sponsorship to end military confrontations. The Special Coordination Group for Lebanon is responsible for direct coordination between the parties to ensure the gradual withdrawal of the occupation and the extension of Lebanese state sovereignty through the deployment of the Lebanese army in the southern areas.
