Aoun: We are seeking a security agreement with Israel that could serve as a prelude to peace - Sarmad

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that his country is seeking to conclude a security agreement with Israel aimed at ending the state of hostility between the two nations, emphasizing that Lebanon has no alternative but direct negotiations to prevent any new war.

In an interview with the French news agency AFP, Aoun said, “We are primarily seeking a security agreement to end the state of hostility and to deploy the army along the border. This could serve as a precursor to a later peace agreement.”

He added, “However, we cannot jump directly to a peace agreement; it must be done step by step,” stressing that the fundamental step is the Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of the (Lebanese) army along the border, and the return of residents and detainees.

The Lebanese President also underscored the state’s determination to move forward with its decision to monopolize weapons, referring to the implementation of its decisions to disarm Hezbollah, but without internal confrontation.