Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced that he would consider a US proposal to withdraw Israeli troops from the south of the country and transfer weapons from Lebanese groups to the Lebanese army.
“The US has presented a draft proposal, which Lebanon will amend and soon submit to the cabinet. Among the key demands are an immediate ceasefire by Israel, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, the release of prisoners and the transfer of weapons seized from groups, including Hezbollah, to the army,” Lebanese television channel LBCI quoted Aoun as saying on Thursday at the Ministry of Defence.
“No movement is as unanimously supported by the Lebanese as the army. No institution has defended the unity and security of the country as it has,” he said.
Aoun stressed the need to restore the state’s monopoly on the use of weapons. He noted that the Lebanese army had already established authority in the area south of the Litani River and was determined to complete its mission.
The president also accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and interfering in Lebanon’s sovereignty.
According to the TV channel, Lebanon has also requested annual aid of $1 billion over ten years from friendly countries to support the army and security forces. He called for an international donor conference to be held this autumn to finance the country’s reconstruction.
In addition, Aoun reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holding parliamentary elections, with electoral reforms currently being discussed in parliament.
