Aoun Meets UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations
President Michel Aoun met on Monday at Baabda Palace with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, affirming Lebanon's readiness to “defend itself” against Israel's violations, the National News Agency reported.
“Lebanon is keen on maintaining stability and calm in South Lebanon, but it is also ready to defend itself shall Israel carry out an assault,” Aoun told Lacroix.
Aoun referred to Israel's continued violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the violation of Lebanese airspace by shelling Syrian territory.
“Lebanon refuses Israel's violations. Building a cement separation wall on the southern border is an additional violation of Lebanon's sovereignty,” said Aoun.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lacroix affirmed the UNIFIL's role in serving peace in Lebanon, “it is a role that we will continue to do in collaboration with Lebanese authorities,” he said.
“The UNIFIL's role has become more important today with the recent Israeli declarations and the construction of a cement separation Israeli wall with Lebanon,” he added.
Lacroix assured that the UNIFIL plays the role of a “mediator between Lebanon and Israel in order to allow dialogue and appease tension.”
Source: Naharnet
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