Aoun: Talks with Washington are ongoing… and we welcome any alternative European force
President Joseph Aoun, during a meeting with Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee, affirmed that Lebanon wants UNIFIL to continue its operational mission in the south and welcomes any alternative European force in cooperation with the United Nations if an extension of UNIFIL’s mandate is not possible. He added that the logistical and technical support an alternative force could provide would help facilitate the Lebanese army’s mission and improve daily life for communities in the south.
Aoun noted that contacts with Washington were ongoing to put an end to Israeli attacks on the south, stressing that Israel’s attacks were obstructing the implementation of the framework agreement, preventing the Lebanese army from extending state sovereignty to the border and restoring stability.
He stressed that Lebanon was looking to friendly countries, including Ireland, to pressure Israel to halt its attacks, withdraw from the south, return prisoners, and enable the state to rebuild destroyed villages and allow their residents to return.
For her part, the Irish minister said Ireland’s support for Lebanon would continue despite the difficult circumstances facing the region.
