Aoun Says ‘No Alliance’ with Hizbullah, Direct Talks Only Solution for Gulf Row

President Michel Aoun has said that he shares with Hizbullah “an understanding not an alliance.”

“Hizbullah respects three main rules: Resolution 1701 (that ended the 2006 war), domestic stability and avoiding any harassment to the ambassadors of countries that designated Hizbullah as a terrorist organization, such as the Americans, British, Germans and Arab countries,” Aoun told al-Akhbar newspaper.

He added that there is no disagreement between him and Saudi Arabia.

“It was the first country I visited when I was elected for presidency in 2017,” Aoun said, adding that he hadn’t received any negative signs from KSA.

“The crisis began when the relation between Saudi Arabia and ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri deteriorated, and now a statement by Information Minister George Kordahi started a new crisis.”

The President told al-Akhbar that he prefers that Kordahi take the decision to resign over the option of sacking him.

Aoun said that he wants the best relations with KSA, and these relations shouldn’t be affected by one person, such as Hariri or Kordahi. He added that there are no mediators between Lebanon and KSA now, and that the only solution is “direct talks.”

“We are silently working on it and we hope we will reach a positive outcome,” Aoun revealed.

Aoun also disagrees with Hizbullah concerning the lead investigator into Beirut’s port blast. He told the newspaper that he strongly stands with the separation of powers. “We don’t have the right to interfere in a matter that is not within our competence. The judge has an authority that would hold him accountable if he makes a mistake, it’s not our responsibility,” he said.