Baabda: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, on Friday welcomed German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, at Baabda Palace, in the presence of Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. The President called on 'the international community, the European Union, and the United States to pressure Israel to abide by the ceasefire agreement declared last November, allowing the Lebanese Army to deploy up to the southern international border and fully implement plans to extend state sovereignty across all Lebanese territory.'
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, President Aoun stated, 'We are not advocates of war, we have lived through it and learned its lessons.' He emphasized that the choice of negotiations aims at reclaiming occupied land, freeing prisoners, and securing full withdrawal from the hills, but Israel has responded with further aggression in the South and Bekaa.
Aoun emphasized that Israel's continued attacks 'show that aggression remains its first option,' holding the international community responsible for supporting Lebanon's call for peace and stability. Aoun also noted that the Lebanese Army 'is fulfilling its duties south of the Litani and nationwide,' welcoming any international support to strengthen its capabilities and revealing that troop numbers in the South will rise to 10,000 by year's end.
The president reaffirmed 'Lebanon's cooperation with UNIFIL' and condemned Israel's repeated violations, commending the EU's stance in defending UNIFIL's mission. 'The army remains Lebanon's sole guarantee for protecting sovereignty and ensuring lasting security,' he said, reiterating Lebanon's readiness to resume negotiations to end the Israeli occupation 'once mutual willingness is present.'
For his part, Minister Wadephul reaffirmed Germany's 'continued support for Lebanon in all fields,' particularly efforts to enhance sovereignty and empower the army, while stressing 'the importance of respecting relevant international resolutions' and reaffirming Germany's participation in UNIFIL's naval contingent.