President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon highlighted the nation’s commitment to reforms to restore regional trust, criticized financial mismanagement, and defended the Lebanese army’s role in security. He discussed Israel’s occupation with German officials, while Hezbollah responded to the foreign minister’s statements on ceasefires and negotiations with Israel, signaling internal disagreements.
In a recent statement, President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon emphasized the nation’s dedication to restoring trust with Arab countries and the global community through systemic reforms. During a meeting with Lebanese businessmen in Saudi Arabia, he acknowledged the Kingdom’s support in accommodating expatriates and their families, expressing gratitude for this embrace.
Aoun criticized the financial mismanagement in Lebanon, stating, “It is unacceptable to cover the repercussions of financial and economic mismanagement using depositors’ funds, which have been frozen in Lebanese banks since 2019.” He underscored the urgency of addressing this issue through collaboration amongst economic entities, banks, and the state. He also highlighted that a reliable banking sector is crucial for stimulating economic growth and investment.
He further addressed the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock regarding Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanese territories, which he believes obstructs the enforcement of UN Resolution 1701. This discussion occurred during Baerbock’s visit to Beirut as she prepared to reopen the German Embassy in Syria. Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to security, stating that the Lebanese army is tasked with maintaining order and collecting weapons in evacuated areas.
Despite Israel releasing a few detainees, Aoun noted that several Lebanese citizens still remain imprisoned and expressed the government’s resolve to address this matter timely. Additionally, Hezbollah reacted strongly to statements made by Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji concerning the party’s adherence to a ceasefire agreement with Israel, claiming that the remarks were harmful to national interests.
Rajji emphasized the importance of diplomatic measures to end Israel’s occupation and outlined conditions tied to the cessation of military actions and the implementation of UN Resolution 1701. However, Rajji affirmed that Lebanon would not engage in direct negotiations with Israel, provoking a backlash from Hezbollah, particularly from MP Ibrahim Al-Moussawi and Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, who criticized the foreign minister for his declarations and defended Hezbollah’s stance on the ceasefire agreement.
In summary, President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon is focused on regaining trust with Arab and global entities through reforms and has criticized the misuse of depositors’ funds. His discussions with international leaders emphasize Lebanon’s commitment to enforcing security and resolving regional tensions, particularly concerning Israel’s occupation. The responses from Hezbollah highlight internal divisions regarding the approach to negotiations and the state’s stance on ongoing military conflicts.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
