Beirut, Lebanon – Web Desk: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has strongly defended his government’s ongoing negotiations with Israel, making it clear that his administration will not compromise on the country’s sovereignty under any circumstances.
According to a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency, President Aoun rejected criticism branding the talks with Israel as an act of betrayal, insisting instead that the negotiations are aimed solely at safeguarding Lebanon’s national interests, sovereignty, and border rights in full.
President Aoun said the time has come for Lebanon to move beyond decades of war and foreign tutelage, stressing that the Lebanese people — particularly residents of southern Lebanon — deserve to live with dignity, peace, and security.
He further stated that the clauses of the framework agreement reached with Israel do not conflict with Lebanon’s constitutional principles or national rights; rather, they were specifically designed to protect them.
Without naming the opposition directly, President Aoun said that anyone who claims to respect the principle of sovereignty must also respect the state’s decisions on this matter. “We will not hand over a single inch of our land to Israel,” he declared firmly.
It is worth noting that President Joseph Aoun has faced intense political criticism over the US-brokered ceasefire agreement signed between the Lebanese government and Israel. Opposition parties argue that the deal could undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning that Israel may gain an advantage in disputed border areas.
Notably, following an escalation in border clashes between Israel and Lebanon last year, international mediation efforts led to an ongoing series of negotiations between the two countries on a ceasefire and border-related matters. However, several key issues between the two sides remain unresolved.
