This was stated in a speech delivered from the Ministry of Defense on the occasion of Army Day, Thursday, as mentioned by the official page of the Lebanese presidency on the platform ‘X’. Aoun revealed a set of demands and initiatives that he will soon present to the Council of Ministers, primarily an American-supported plan aimed at ending military divisions within Lebanon and strengthening state authority over its entire territory.
The Lebanese president explained that Washington has offered Lebanon a draft of ideas related to reorganizing the security scene in southern Lebanon, and that the Lebanese leadership has made ‘essential modifications’ to it, in preparation for its official presentation early next week within constitutional frameworks.
Aoun pointed out that the initiatives he will present to the Council of Ministers include an immediate halt to Israeli attacks, withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territories, handing over of ‘Hezbollah’ weapons, and direct international support for the Lebanese army worth one billion dollars annually for ten years, totaling ten billion dollars over this period.
He also explained that the initiatives include demarcating land and maritime borders with Syria with American, French, and Saudi assistance, and tightening measures to combat smuggling and drug trafficking. The president considered these items to form the basic pillars of a Lebanese memorandum aimed at blocking Israeli aggression and strengthening state sovereignty.
Joseph Aoun’s statements come amid intensified efforts by Washington, within ongoing discussions for six weeks, aimed at shaping a roadmap leading to the complete disarmament of ‘Hezbollah’, in exchange for halting Israeli raids and withdrawing Israeli forces from five border points in southern Lebanon. Western media indicate that Washington is pushing for an official decision from the Council of Ministers committing to dismantling ‘Hezbollah’s’ arsenal, as a prerequisite for resuming negotiations on a ceasefire.
Despite the party’s declared refusal to fully hand over its weapons, there are reports of reducing its arsenal, in exchange for parallel Israeli commitments, including halting air raids and withdrawing forces from occupied Lebanese territories.
