Hani: Aoun’s foreign tours aim to strengthen Lebanon’s global ties
Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani said President Joseph Aoun’s foreign visits were aimed at rallying political support for Lebanon and developing the country’s trade and economic relations with other states, citing recent engagement with the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking in an interview, Hani said Lebanon’s request to extend UNIFIL’s mandate was facing US opposition but had not yet been settled, while discussions were under way over the possibility of establishing another international force.
He stressed that southern Lebanon should not be left without an international presence amid continuing Israeli attacks, adding that the government was using all available means to halt the attacks, secure an Israeli withdrawal and begin reconstruction as quickly as possible.
On negotiations, Hani said the process was continuing but that results on the ground remained limited, fueling concern among Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the Lebanese public.
Separately, Hani reassured that the olive and olive oil season in southern Lebanon remained sound and had not been affected by shelling, saying the Agriculture Ministry was monitoring the situation through periodic testing.
