Aoun says arms talks to 'intensify' when regional stability returns
President Joseph Aoun on Thursday told visiting U.S. envoy Tom Barrack that contacts are ongoing to address the issue of the arms of Hezbollah and the Palestinian factions in Lebanon, adding that the talks will intensify “after the stabilization of the situation in the region which deteriorated due to the escalation of the Israel-Iranian conflict.”
“Lebanon is looking forward to the United States’ support in what it is doing to achieve revival on the various levels, topped by consolidating security and stability in the South through the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the five occupied hills, the cessation of hostilities and extending the term of U.N. forces,” Aoun added, telling Barrack that “Lebanon has decided to increase the number of army troops in the area south of the Litani to 10,000 soldiers.”
“The army units deployed south of the Litani are continuing to fully implement Resolution 1701 in terms of removing armed appearances, confiscating weapons and arms, and preventing any armed presence other than that of security forces, but they have so far been unable to continue their mission due to the continued Israeli occupation of the five hills and the areas around them,” the president added.
Barrack for his part conveyed “the U.S. desire to help Lebanon overcome the circumstances and challenges it is facing,” the Presidency said. He added that Trump “wants to help Lebanon and the neighboring country in having safety, stability and peace.”
Source: Naharnet
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