Aoun says he's going to US because he's counting on Trump
President Joseph Aoun has said that he wants to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump because he wants the Lebanese issue to “remain on the American agenda.”
“We want to solidify its position there,” Aoun said in an interview with Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.
“There's no need to reiterate the importance of having a good relationship with the United States, and of capitalizing on President Donald Trump's expressed desire to help us. His role is vital and we are counting on it,” Aoun added.
Noting that “we are facing an extremely difficult and complex situation,” Aoun pointed out that “the United States is the only side capable of exerting pressure on the Israeli government to prevent it from targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, the infrastructure, or expanding the occupied territories in southern Lebanon.”
“No other party is capable of playing this role,” he emphasized.
He added: “We want the U.S. administration to help us regain all of our land. We will not relinquish an inch of our land or a single citizen. The issue of sovereignty is not open to compromise or interpretation. It is at the forefront of our national principles, which we are committed to upholding. We want the land returned and to be under the sole control of the Lebanese Army.”
Calling on Trump to “support our just demands to regain all of our land,” Aoun added that he expects him to “succeed in persuading Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.”
As for the domestic rift over the approach to direct negotiations with Israel, Aoun said: “We were not in a position to choose between ideal options. The war threatened to escalate, along with the expansion of the occupied territory.”
“The scenes of displacement were harrowing, as were the scenes of destruction. There was a risk of widespread devastation to Beirut and its infrastructure. We were, in reality, faced with only one option, especially given the significant imbalance of power. We had no choice but to request assistance from the United States,” the president explained.
He said direct negotiations were the only available option to make “a serious attempt to shorten the occupation of our land, alleviate the suffering of the displaced, pave the way for their return to their villages, and begin the reconstruction of what had been destroyed.”
Aoun emphasized that “the state is responsible for the fate of every inch of its territory and for the fate of every citizen,” adding that “there is no distinction between one inch and another, or between one citizen and another.”
Asked about the possibility that opponents of the framework agreement might resort to an attempt to topple the government, the president said: “Changing the government has a context provided by the constitutional framework. However, using street protests to bring down the government is prohibited.”
As for his current rift with Hezbollah, he said, “We didn’t choose to sever ties with anyone. Our offices are open to everyone without exception. There is objection to a choice the state has made to shorten the occupation and the people’s suffering. Whoever has another option to achieve this goal should present it, and we will discuss it. Continuing the war is not an option. Our office is open, and our hearts are open.”
Regarding Speaker Nabih Berri’s opposition to the framework agreement with Israel, Aoun said: “Speaker Berri is a statesman, and we share what are considered red lines: not jeopardizing civil peace, the reputation and role of the army, and not resorting to street protests.”
Source: Naharnet
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