Lebanese President: No Weapons Outside the State and Israel Continues Violations

Lebanese President Michel Aoun affirmed that the decision to exclusively entrust weapons to the state is irreversible, emphasizing that its implementation is done prudently to ensure Lebanon's unity and preserve civil peace.

He pointed out that Israel continues to reject compliance with the November 26, 2024 agreement, disregarding international calls to cease hostile actions and persisting in its attacks on Lebanese territories.

The President also stated that any permanent solution requires a guarantor to implement it, especially since Israel has not fully complied with Resolution 1701, while Lebanon has fulfilled its obligations, including deploying the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.

He considered that the ongoing Israeli presence in the disputed border hills hinders the complete deployment of the Lebanese army in the south.

Aoun announced that the number of army personnel in southern Lebanon will increase to ten thousand by the end of this year, affirming that whenever the army enters a region, weapons and ammunition are seized, and armed manifestations are ended.

He stated that the decision to save the state is final and will not be reversed, and no effort will be spared to achieve it.

In the same context, Lebanese sources revealed that the United States insists on setting a timeline for delivering weapons to the Lebanese state by the end of the year. However, the Lebanese response to the American proposal presented by envoy Thomas Brak did not include any clear timelines or practical steps to implement the process of entrusting weapons to the state.

The sources also confirmed that Brak did not provide any American guarantees to compel Israel to withdraw from the five disputed border points.

Brak had previously met with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, in the presence of US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea and Aoun's media advisor Ali Hamdan, discussing the latest political and field developments in Lebanon and the region.

Brak described the meeting as "excellent," saying: "We are working towards achieving stability, and you must be hopeful."

This visit marks Brak's third to Beirut in less than two months, where he arrived last Sunday and met with Lebanese President and Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday.

President Aoun handed the American envoy a comprehensive memorandum on behalf of the Lebanese state, documenting Lebanon's commitments since the ceasefire agreement on November 27 last year until the current government's ministerial statement.

During his first visit to Lebanon on June 19, Brak presented proposals to implement the security arrangements related to the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.

On his second visit on July 7, he received an official response from President Aoun to these proposals.

The Lebanese stance remains steadfast in demanding the implementation of international resolutions and Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories, in exchange for continuing steps to enhance the sovereignty of the Lebanese state over all its territories, as President Aoun confirmed.