Aoun: Any settlement will be through us, not at our expense

President Joseph Aoun stressed Wednesday that any settlement for the war in Lebanon will take place through the Lebanese state and not at its expense.

"The assurances we have received, and what we insist upon, is that Lebanon's path in the negotiations is independent, although we are certainly in favor of a ceasefire and we welcome any country that helps us, including Iran," Aoun said.

"The Lebanese state is conducting the negotiations and is sovereign in its decisions. No one can take its place, and any settlement will be reached through us, not at our expense," the president added.