Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that Hezbollah can be disarmed if three conditions are met: an end to the 'occupation', full Lebanese army control over all territory, and a state-run reconstruction program. He also called on the Trump administration to pressure Israel to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, according to a report from an Arabic-language the source.
In a speech at a dinner hosted by Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nadia Hamedeh Ma'awad in Washington on Wednesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spelled out three conditions for Hezbollah's disarmament: an end to what he called the 'occupation', full Lebanese army control over all territory, and a state-run reconstruction program. He also called on the Trump administration to pressure Israel to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, enabling the Lebanese army to establish its sovereignty.
Tonight's statement builds on a series of reports from Tuesday evening (21:48 Jerusalem). First, Al Arabiya reported that Aoun had presented President Trump with an official plan to disarm Hezbollah. Hours later, an American source told Al-Hadath that the plan includes a demand for a gradual then full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Shortly after, ynet reported Aoun saying Hezbollah can disarm once the occupation ends. The Zioneer reported on the ynet statement earlier today (08:36 Jerusalem). Tonight's remarks provide more specific conditions and a direct appeal to the US.
The Trump administration, in a June 26 statement, endorsed the Israeli position that withdrawal from Lebanon is conditioned on Hezbollah's disarmament, as The Zioneer reported. Aoun has consistently conditioned negotiations on a full IDF withdrawal, as The Zioneer reported on July 9. The Lebanese president's plan, first reported by Al Arabiya on Tuesday, also calls for all weapons in Lebanon to be placed under state control, ending Hezbollah's independent military status.
The report of tonight's statement comes from a single Arabic-language source; however, the statement itself is a public address by a head of state, lending it high credibility. The US administration's response to Aoun's three conditions has not yet been reported.
4 developments
- DevelopingLebanese President Aoun: No compromise except full Israeli withdrawal
- StrongLebanese media: US to demand Aoun coordinate with Syria's al-Jolani, enforce Hezbollah disarmament
- StrongLebanese President Aoun Conditions Talks with Israel on IDF Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon
- DevelopingRubio, Lebanese President Aoun discuss Hezbollah disarmament and ceasefire with Israel
Source and signal
- Internal intake