Aoun: Refugees Issue Top Priority, Border Situation Calm
President of the Republic Joseph Aoun received the UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, and the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, at the Baabda Palace. Ambassador Pedersen briefed President Aoun on the situation in Syria and the work the United Nations is undertaking there. The discussion also covered the situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border and the conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
President Aoun presented the results of recent communications with the new Syrian leadership, including meetings with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharas, as well as Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's visit to Syria and the meetings of ministerial committees and military delegations that discussed coordination on security measures and the border situation.
President Aoun stressed that the issue of Syrian refugees remains a top priority for Lebanon. He noted that Lebanon has discussed their situation with the Syrian leadership, especially following the lifting of US sanctions on Damascus, which could pave the way for the return of refugees in parallel with economic recovery in Syria. The discussion also touched on border issues, with President Aoun affirming that the Lebanese-Syrian border is calm and that recent incidents there have been addressed.
Regarding Lebanon’s southern border, the President briefed the international official on the army's deployment efforts south of the Litani River in implementation of Resolution 1701. He pointed out that Israel’s failure to withdraw from the five hills, its continued hostile actions against Lebanon, and the unresolved issue of Lebanese detainees hinder the full deployment of the Lebanese Army to the border.
President Aoun also stated that he is continuing his contacts with Arab and international parties to pressure Israel into implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement, thereby allowing the Lebanese Army to fulfill its mission of full deployment along the southern border.
