Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed that the framework agreement is the "best possible" option and has begun to yield results. He stated that Washington is now listening to Lebanon and that the country's file is on the U.S. President's table, adding that Lebanon's goals are clear and that it will not compromise regarding its rights.
اضافة اعلان
During a meeting with a delegation from the "Orthodox Gathering," he stressed that the right to differ is legitimate, but conflict is not, and that dialogue among Lebanese must take place under the umbrella of national interest, rather than to prioritize personal interests.
Aoun said that hatred does not build a state or institutions but rather destroys them, and that the Lebanese people must choose what saves their homeland and protects it from the ambitions of others.
He explained that "the path is not paved and has difficulties, but there is great hope for achieving results that will end the bloodshed."
The first day of direct, U.S.-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel in Rome concluded on Tuesday.
The U.S.-sponsored negotiations took place in the Italian capital regarding a framework agreement reached last month after five rounds of talks in Washington, amid hopes by Lebanese negotiators to make progress on the issue of Israeli withdrawal.
The framework agreement came after the outbreak of war on March 2 between Israel and Hezbollah, amid the broader war in the Middle East.
The agreement provides for ending the war in Lebanon, disarming Hezbollah, deploying the Lebanese Army in the south, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the country, starting with two "pilot areas."
