Lebanon wants security deal with Israel to end conflict

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says Lebanon is seeking a security deal with Israel following an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, while pursuing the disarmament of Hezbollah without triggering a confrontation.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says Lebanon is seeking a security deal with Israel following an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, while pursuing the disarmament of Hezbollah without triggering a confrontation.

Aoun said Lebanon wanted a new European-led force to prevent a security gap after UN peacekeepers leave southern Lebanon when their mandate expires in December.

To that end, he called on the United States, European Union and Arab countries to support the Lebanese military as it expands its deployment across the south. According to reports, Aoun is expected to attend a meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Jordan’s King Abdullah II to build international support for the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy across the country.

In this regard, Aoun said: “Whatever the nature of this force, that poses no problem for me: European, non-European, American, another United Nations force, Asian, or even a mix of European, Arab and Asian forces.”

Aoun also said he wants a follow-up agreement with Israel that would establish more cordial relations between the two hostile countries and allow the Lebanese army to deploy along the border.

He said such an agreement could serve as an initial step toward peace, but Lebanon could not move directly to a comprehensive peace deal.

Furthermore, Aoun reiterated that Lebanon was committed to disarming the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, saying the decision was not open to negotiation. At the same time, he stressed the importance of pursuing the process without triggering a confrontation.