Aoun: Negotiation is not surrender, those promoting war have been exposed
President Joseph Aoun announced Wednesday that he has resorted to negotiations with Israel in order to “consolidate security and stability, especially in the South,” stressing that “negotiation does not mean surrender.”
“We are counting on the stances taken by U.S. President Donald Trump and his interest in the issue of peace, and we’re doing our part in this regard,” Aoun added, in a meeting with a delegation from the World Lebanese Cultural Union.
“Lebanon is being rebuilt and it is recovering, and it cannot afford to go to war. As President of the Republic, I will pursue any path that leads me to the best interest of Lebanon. The important thing is to avert the specter of war, rebuild the country, ensure that people remain on their land, revive Lebanon economically, and develop its institutions. This is my goal, and if anyone has a problem with this goal, let them tell me," Aoun added.
Noting that “those promoting war have had their game exposed,” the president lamented that "there are those who thrive on the war rhetoric in order to hold the elections based on it."
"Is it permissible for some to distort the true picture, spread rumors, frighten the Lebanese people, and call for war for the sake of their electoral interest, whereas we must uphold our patriotic sense and responsibility in the critical circumstances we are going through?" Aoun wondered.
The president had earlier in the day met with Simon Karam, the head of the Lebanese delegation to the Mechanism meetings, giving him instructions ahead of Friday's anticipated talks.
Lebanon and Israel had both announced on December 3 the appointment of civilian members to a previously military-only committee monitoring enforcement of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that halted the latest war with Israel.
The civilian members — Simon Karam, an attorney and former Lebanese ambassador to the U.S., and Uri Resnick, the Israeli National Security Council’s deputy director for foreign policy — took part in meeting of the Mechanism on December 4 and are scheduled to lead Friday's talks.
Source: Naharnet
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