Aoun Vows Reform, Asks U.S. to Help Finalize Sea Border Demarcation

W460

President Michel Aoun on Wednesday told the 75th meeting of the U.N. General Assembly that Lebanon is “committed to administrative, financial and economic reforms.”

“Lebanon stresses its full rights to its maritime resources,” Aoun added, addressing the Assembly via videoconference.

He also noted that Lebanon is counting U.N. efforts and a long-running U.S. mediation to to finalize the demarcation of its maritime border with Israel.

“Lebanon reiterates its call for the international community to stop Israel's violation of Lebanese sovereignty,” Aoun said, while stressing that Lebanon is committed to the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah.

Aoun added: “Lebanon welcomes the decision to renew UNIFIL's mandate and sees in it a strong message of support.”

And warning that the continued Syrian refugee crisis aggravates Lebanon's woes, the president said Lebanon “calls for intensifying efforts to ensure a safe and dignified return.”

As for the investigations into the catastrophic August 4 blast at Beirut port, Aoun said “entire Lebanon wants to know the truth and fulfill justice.”

“Today Beirut is trying to rise from its rubble, and through the solidarity of all Lebanese and your support, it will close its wounds and rise as it repeatedly did throughout history,” Aoun told the U.N. General Assembly.

Timeline
  • 23 September 2020, 20:19

    Aoun: Lebanon is committed to administrative, financial and economic reforms and it is counting on the U.S. mediation to to demarcate its maritime border.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:13

    Aoun: All Lebanese want to preserve Greater Lebanon without any partitioning.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:12

    Aoun: Lebanon reiterates its call for the international community to stop Israel's violation of Lebanese sovereignty.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:11

    Aoun: Lebanon renews its commitment to the implementation of Resolution 1701.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:11

    Aoun: Lebanon stresses its full rights to its maritime resources.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:11

    Aoun: Lebanon welcomes the decision to renew UNIFIL's mandate and sees in it a strong message of support.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:09

    Aoun: The continued Syrian refugee crisis aggravates Lebanon's woes.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:08

    Aoun on Syrian refugees: Lebanon calls for intensifying efforts to ensure a safe and dignified return.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:06

    Aoun on port blast probe: Entire Lebanon wants to know the truth and fulfill justice.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:05

    Aoun: Today Beirut is trying to rise from its rubble, and through the solidarity of all Lebanese and your support, it will close its wounds and rise as it repeatedly did throughout history.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:03

    Aoun: The material damage resulting from the Beirut port blast is unprecedented.

  • 23 September 2020, 20:02

    Aoun: I thank all the countries that have offered assistance to Lebanon.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 7
Thumb gebran_sons 23 September 2020, 21:21

Demarcate the maritime border only!!!! When an occupying militia working for Iranian interest started a war in 2006 because of Shebaa farms that Syria to date has not acknowledge to be Lebanese and you ignore demarcating ALL borders, you are pathetic, a marionette and a Useful Idiot par excellence. HizbIran over 14 years got everything she wanted from you at the expense of Lebanon institution and sovereignty and you only got in exchange a position for your son-in-law (another nut case). Frankly, you should be rotting in prison if there is any justice for bankrupting millions, causing the death and injury of thousands, and destroying our democracy and freedom. We'll make sure of that!

Default-user-icon cocoman (Guest) 24 September 2020, 07:46

Like all grandpas he is good at telling stories... Then he does nothing... your time is up old fart, you belong to the garbage of history

Thumb kanaanljdid 24 September 2020, 09:37

Indeed lol

Missing phillipo 24 September 2020, 10:10

"Lebanon is committed to the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701"
So why may one ask is Hizballah still armed and south of the Litani?

Default-user-icon Joseph Hitti (Guest) 24 September 2020, 16:48

After stalling any movement towards pacifying the south and the country, demarcating final borders with Syria and Israel - both enemies of Lebanon - Aoun and Bassil now have begun a U-turn in their alliance with Hezballah because of western pressures and for lack of money. Rafik Hariri supported Hezballah between 1991 and 2004, then made a U-turn when he realized he couldn't rebuild the country under the Syrian boots. It cost him his life. Aoun and Bassil now realize they can't "change and reform" with Hezballah's boots over the country's neck. I wonder what it will cost them. Unfortunately, Aoun and Bassil are no statesmen who see the consequences of their actions 10 or 20 years down the line. They're not even savvy politicians. Their failure is monumental. Pathetic.

Missing phillipo 24 September 2020, 18:43

You may say that Israel is an enemy of Lebanon, but the average Israeli does not regard the Lebanese people as enemies.
It is only Hizballah that keeps the situation as it is.
As President Aoun is already willing to have face to face talks with Israel regarding the maritime border, who knows, maybe on of these days (years) this will extend to the land border.

Thumb chrisrushlau 24 September 2020, 18:20

Aoun forgot the word "sectarianism"?