In an interview with the Lebanese daily Al-Nahar, President Joseph Aoun stated that military contacts between Lebanon and Israel have made significant progress, which will be reflected on the ground starting with a test area in the village of Kfar Zouter in the Nabatieh district. Aoun also reiterated that he will not meet Prime Minister Netanyahu as long as Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue, and said he would leave any hall where Netanyahu is present. He refused to comment on the Lebanese defense minister's trip to Iran.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in an interview published Monday evening by the Lebanese daily Al-Nahar, stated that military contacts between Lebanon and Israel have made significant progress as part of the framework agreement. He said the progress will be visible on the ground, starting with a test area in the village of Kfar Zouter in the Nabatieh district.
The remarks follow Aoun's earlier statement today (The Zioneer, 21:11) that he does not intend to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as long as Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue. Over the past weeks, as The Zioneer has reported, Aoun has called for a complete Israeli withdrawal (June 23) and launched a domestic lobbying campaign to solidify support for the agreement (July 1).
In the interview, Aoun also denied any rift with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, stating that both are committed to strengthening southern Lebanon. He refused to comment on the Lebanese defense minister's trip to Iran, saying diplomatic relations with Tehran continue and have not been severed. Regarding a potential meeting with Netanyahu, Aoun said he would leave any hall where the Israeli premier is present.
The new details provide the first concrete indication of how the military aspects of the agreement may be implemented, though the timeline for the test area in Kfar Zouter remains unspecified.
2 developments
- StrongLebanese President Aoun denies reports of meeting with Netanyahu, cites ongoing Israeli attacks
- DevelopingLebanese President Aoun: No compromise except full Israeli withdrawal
- StrongLebanese President Aoun: 'I am not in love with Israel — but give me another solution'
- DevelopingLebanese army chief Rudolf Haykal tours forward units in Nabatieh district
Source and signal
- Internal intake