Lebanon president seeks deal with ‘Israel’

• Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized that the process of disarming Hezbollah will be pursued through peaceful diplomatic means to avoid sparking internal conflict or a civil war.
• Ahead of a high-level summit in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and King Abdullah II of Jordan, Aoun urged the US, European nations, and Arab states to provide direct support to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces during their southern deployment.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has stated Lebanon's intention to reach a security agreement with 'Israel' following its withdrawal from the south, while wanting to disarm Hezbollah peacefully without resorting to confrontation.

Aoun called for international backing to support the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and maintain stability along the border, he said in an exclusive interview with AFP ahead of his trip to France.

President Aoun emphasized the necessity of preventing a security vacuum in the south once UNIFIL's mandate ends. He noted that while extending UNIFIL's mandate remains the optimal choice, Lebanon is open to alternative international forces, whether European, Arab, Asian, or American, to serve temporarily until the Lebanese army completes its full deployment.

On relations with 'Israel', Aoun stated that a security arrangement is necessary to end the current state of hostility and secure the border. 

"We have no choice but negotiations, because the alternative is war, which would be very costly for us," Aoun explained, noting that a security deal could serve as a prelude to future peace talks rather than an immediate treaty.

Addressing the status of Hezbollah, Aoun stated that disarming the group is "neither negotiable nor open to discussion." However, he said that the process must be conducted diplomatically to prevent domestic turmoil. 

"The objective is not a confrontation... We are determined to resolve this issue peacefully," he said, warning against any outcome that could spark a new civil war. Aoun added that he informed Iranian officials that future bilateral relations must be built on mutual respect and strict non-interference in Lebanese domestic affairs.

UN Security Council peacekeepers (UNIFIL) have been stationed in southern Lebanon since 1978, currently comprising around 8,500 personnel. 

Following US pressure, the UN Security Council voted to terminate UNIFIL’s mandate on Dec. 31, 2026. To address the upcoming deployment, Aoun traveled to Paris to attend a conference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to mobilize international support for the Lebanese army.

Aoun called on the United States, European nations, and Arab allies to support the reinforcement of the Lebanese Armed Forces. 

The upcoming summit in Paris and subsequent diplomatic talks are expected to play a key role in shaping the security arrangements along Lebanon's southern border as the planned transition of control proceeds.