Lebanese President: Israel Violated Lebanese Sovereignty Thousands of Times and Killed Hundreds of Citizens

The Lebanese President, Michel Aoun, affirmed his country's keenness to build excellent relations with Syria, ensuring the interests of both countries.

President Aoun said on the occasion of Lebanese Army Day: "Lebanon is keen on building excellent relations with its neighbor Syria, for the benefit of both countries. Our prosperity is intertwined, just like our shared pain," adding: "Lebanon can only deal with Syria as a natural and geographical partner, and as the incubator for any real solution in the region."

Aoun added: "The stage requires a real review of the relationship between our two countries, based on respect for sovereignty and good neighborliness, and on reopening pending files with wisdom and responsibility. The next stage requires practical steps to activate security and economic coordination between Beirut and Damascus, including cooperation in reconstruction, combating drugs, facilitating trade, and agriculture exchanges."

On another note, President Aoun reiterated the importance of exclusively entrusting the Lebanese Army and security forces with the country's weapons, on all Lebanese territories, because Lebanon's sovereignty can only be protected through the institutions of the legitimate state, foremost among them the army, which is the only entity responsible for defending the borders against any aggression, whether from the Israeli enemy or terrorist organizations.

President Aoun emphasized that building a modern state in Lebanon begins with restoring respect for its institutions, empowering the army to fulfill its national role within the framework of state sovereignty, and reintegrating Lebanon into its Arab environment and the international community, saying: "We want to strengthen our internal unity and our fraternal relations with Syria, not with weapons outside the state or transient loyalties across borders."

President Aoun pointed out that Israel has violated Lebanese sovereignty thousands of times, killing hundreds of citizens, since the ceasefire declaration in November 2024 until now. Israel has prevented residents from returning to their lands, rebuilding their homes and villages, refused to release prisoners, and withdraw from the occupied territories.

Aoun stated that Lebanon's negotiations with the American side aim to respect the ceasefire implementation, explaining that the most important points demanded by the Lebanese side are the immediate cessation of Israeli hostile actions, the withdrawal of Israeli forces behind internationally recognized borders, the release of prisoners, asserting Lebanese state authority over all its territories, withdrawing the weapons of all armed forces including Hezbollah, handing them over to the Lebanese army, securing an annual one billion US dollars for ten years from friendly countries to support the Lebanese army and security forces, and enhancing their capabilities.

President Aoun also highlighted the focus on delineating and demarcating the land and sea borders with Syria, with the assistance of the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, and specialized UN teams, resolving the refugee issue, and other matters.