Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed that Lebanon needs American, European and Arab support to strengthen the capabilities and readiness of the Lebanese Army in the coming period.
In press statements, Aoun said Lebanon was working to establish an alternative to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the south to prevent a security vacuum after the mission ends. He explained that any force deployed in the area should focus on supporting the army and reinforcing the authority of the state.
Aoun also noted that Lebanon was seeking to reach an agreement with Israel to end the state of hostility between the two sides as part of efforts to resolve outstanding security and political issues.
On the issue of weapons, he reaffirmed that the Lebanese state was determined to place all arms under the control of official institutions, stressing that the process should be carried out peacefully and without provoking internal confrontation
