President Aoun of Lebanon emphasized reform to regain confidence, addressed banking issues, and discussed Israeli occupation with German officials. Tensions arose with Hezbollah over Foreign Minister Rajji’s remarks on ceasefire and negotiations with Israel. Hezbollah criticized these comments for undermining national interests and providing justifications for Israeli actions.
President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon expressed a commitment to restore confidence among Arab nations and globally through reforms during a meeting with Lebanese businessmen in Saudi Arabia. He expressed gratitude towards the Kingdom for its support of expatriates and their families. President Aoun emphasized that it is unacceptable to misuse depositors’ funds frozen in Lebanese banks since 2019, indicating the need for immediate collaborative solutions involving economic bodies, banks, and the state.
Aoun highlighted the necessity of a reliable banking sector to enhance the economic cycle and investment flow. He reiterated that addressing these challenges was fundamental to the government’s agenda, urging parliament to expedite the passage of necessary legislation. During his meetings, Aoun also conveyed to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock that Israeli occupation hinders the enforcement of UN Resolution 1701 and contradicts a recent agreement reached the previous November.
Following the discussions with Baerbock, who also aimed to reopen the German Embassy in Syria, Aoun remarked on the Lebanese army’s deployment in areas previously vacated by Israeli forces, fulfilling its duty to maintain security. He reported that Israel had rejected Lebanese proposals for the withdrawal of its troops, and reported on ongoing diplomatic negotiations aimed at resolving this issue. Aoun also mentioned that several Lebanese prisoners are still held by Israel, an issue to which the Lebanese government is firmly committed.
In related developments, Hezbollah reacted strongly to Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji’s recent claims, asserting that he had misrepresented national interests and infringed upon the ceasefire agreement with Israel. Rajji noted that Lebanon seeks to return to the 1949 Armistice Agreement, advocating for international pressure to enforce terms of UN Resolution 1701, including a halt to military operations. Rajji firmly stated that Lebanon rejects any direct negotiations with Israel.
Hezbollah’s MP, Ibrahim Al-Moussawi, criticized Rajji’s statements for distorting facts and potentially justifying Israeli aggression. He insisted that the foreign minister should focus on condemning Israel’s actions rather than blaming Hezbollah, urging the government to amend Rajji’s statements. Similarly, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem stated that Rajji’s comments undermine Lebanese interests and provide Israel with a reason to perpetuate its aggression, emphasizing Hezbollah’s commitment to uphold the agreements established under UN Resolution 1701.
In summary, President Joseph Aoun stressed the importance of reforms to restore Lebanon’s global standing while addressing issues related to the banking sector and Israel’s ongoing occupation. Aoun underscored the commitment to resolve remaining conflicts diplomatically, which has led to tensions with Hezbollah following divergent views presented by Foreign Minister Rajji. Hezbollah officials have condemned these statements for misrepresenting national interests and potentially facilitating Israeli aggression, reinforcing the party’s adherence to UN Resolution 1701.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
