Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for a new international initiative aimed at ending hostilities in Lebanon and implementing the disarmament of Hezbollah, warning that recent rocket attacks risk dragging the country into wider regional conflict.
Aoun said the launch of rockets from Lebanon served external agendas linked to Iran, arguing that such actions threaten to push the country toward state collapse amid war and instability. He stated that Lebanese authorities have so far worked to prevent this scenario and will continue efforts to protect the state from being drawn into the ongoing regional war.
The president revealed that Lebanon had previously proposed a step-by-step de-escalation initiative, which included an Israeli withdrawal from at least one occupied position in Lebanese territory in exchange for the Lebanese state establishing full control over the area. International guarantors would then verify implementation before moving to additional steps aimed at restoring full Lebanese sovereignty and achieving a permanent end to hostilities and long-term border security arrangements.
According to Aoun, the Lebanese government adopted a clear decision on March 2 banning any military or security activity by Hezbollah, stressing that authorities intend to implement the decision decisively.
He also called on the international community to support a new framework that includes a full ceasefire with Israel, logistical support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the deployment of the army to take control of tension zones and confiscate weapons, including Hezbollah’s arms and military storage facilities.
Aoun added that Lebanon stands in solidarity with Arab countries targeted by Iranian attacks, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, and Jordan, as well as partner states such as Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Cyprus.
