Aoun: No retreat from decision to negotiate with Israel under US sponsorship - Sarmad
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Friday that he would not back down from his decision to negotiate with the Israeli occupation forces under U.S. sponsorship, stressing the importance of clarifying his positions to the Lebanese public and the steps he is taking along this path.
The Lebanese Presidency stated in a statement, quoting President Aoun, that during a meeting with Lebanese Army Commander Major General Rodolphe Haykal and political parties, he reiterated that he would not retract his decision to negotiate, emphasizing that all his positions would include explanations to the Lebanese people regarding the importance of the path he is pursuing and Lebanon’s commitment to its sovereignty in every step taken.
He added that criticisms regarding direct negotiations with the Israeli occupation “do not warrant a response, as Lebanon has entered direct negotiations with Israel on multiple occasions since 1949,” noting that he is fulfilling his duty “out of conviction and has no personal interests to pursue.”
Aoun clarified that “the option of negotiations affirms the sovereignty of the Lebanese state and its right to negotiate on its own behalf, freeing it from the repercussions of the war imposed upon it,” considering that he has made a “difficult choice and is pursuing a path that is not paved, due to the balance of power in the region.”
The Lebanese President explained that the framework formula “will restore Lebanon’s rights through diplomatic means, provided Israel adheres to its provisions and successfully implements them,” adding, “We have today an opportunity to recover the gains we lost through a futile war, especially in light of the current U.S. momentum in focusing on Lebanon and its ability to pressure Israel.”
It is worth noting that the Lebanese state reached an agreement last month to sign what is known as the “Framework Agreement” after rounds of direct negotiations with the Israeli occupation forces under U.S. sponsorship in Washington, with the aim of achieving a complete Israeli withdrawal, halting its ongoing attacks on Lebanon, and initiating a reconstruction process while extending state and army authority over all southern territories.
