Beirut: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, emphasized the crucial role of Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport as Lebanon's main gateway to the world, highlighting the importance of security authorities in maintaining its safety and the country's international reputation. His comments were made during a meeting with Head of Airport Security Brigadier General Fadi Kfoury and senior officers.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, in additional discussions, President Aoun was informed by Beirut Bar Association President, Imad Martinos, about the professional syndicates' stance on the proposed "financial gap" law and the lawyers' union's perspectives on various national matters. President Aoun also conferred with Director General of State Security, Major General Edgar Lawandos, who detailed the agency's initiatives to tackle corruption and curb bribery in public administrations and state institutions.
The President held a meeting with Acting Chair of the Higher Customs Council, Rima Makki, and members Gracia Qazzi and Wissam Al-Ghoush. He emphasized the necessity of modernizing customs technology in conjunction with enhancing state revenues and preventing smuggling and manipulation of customs duties.
In a separate meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President Aoun expressed Lebanon's openness to any country willing to maintain a presence in the south after UNIFIL's withdrawal at the end of 2027, contingent upon a clear operational framework. He noted that such support would bolster the Lebanese Army, which is expected to increase troop numbers soon.
President Aoun praised UNIFIL's role in the south, coordinated with the Lebanese army, and pointed out obstacles to the army's deployment up to the southern international border. He attributed these to the Israeli forces' continued occupation of certain areas and Israel's non-compliance with the November 2024 agreement, including its hostile actions and failure to release Lebanese prisoners, despite international calls for implementing the agreement and Resolution 1701.
Lastly, President Aoun reiterated to Lacroix that "the Lebanese army is fully carrying out its role in the South Litani region in implementation of the decision issued by the Council of Ministers."