Aoun says Lebanese Army is 'backbone of stability' in 'entire region'
President Joseph Aoun on Monday told Italy’s visiting defense minister that the Lebanese Army is “the backbone of stability, not only in Lebanon but rather in the entire region.”
He explained that the region “automatically gets affected by the security situation in Lebanon.”
Accordingly, the president stressed the importance of “providing support to the army, whose missions are not only limited to the borders but rather to the whole of Lebanon.”
“Any assistance offered by the Italian government to the Lebanese Army and Lebanese Armed Forces will be lauded and appreciated by the Lebanese state,” Aoun said.
The president added that the choice of negotiations that Lebanon has adopted is aimed at “halting hostilities, achieving Israel’s withdrawal, releasing the Lebanese captives held in Israel and returning the southern residents to their villages and properties.”
“Lebanon is awaiting positive steps from the Israeli side and we’re counting on friendly nations such as Italy to push for the success of the negotiation process and reaching positive results,” Aoun went on to say.
“Lebanon is a country that loves peace and does not want war, and is rather working to preserve security, protect the border and extend state’s sovereignty,” the president said.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto for his part said that his country wants to keep its forces in the South Litani region following Israel’s withdrawal from the country by 2027, noting that “other European countries intend to take the same stance.”
“This step is aimed at backing the Lebanese Army in its missions in the South, because Italy considers that the security of Lebanon, the region and the Mediterranean is achieved through enhancing the role of the Lebanese Army and security the necessary capabilities for it,” Crosetto said.
He added that his country “will continue its contacts with the aim of consolidating stability in the South,” noting that “no one has an interest in the continuation of tensions in the South and Israel must realize this matter well.”
Aoun for his part said that Lebanon welcomes the participation of Italy and other European countries in any force that would replace UNIFIL after it completes its withdrawal in 2027.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/317337 |