Aoun says exchanging messages with Hezbollah, disarmament can't be done hastily
President Joseph Aoun has said diplomatic contacts are ongoing especially with the U.S. to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Lebanon, adding that Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus will visit Lebanon soon.
In an interview late Sunday with Egyptian digital television channel ON E, Aoun said the Israeli occupation of five Lebanese hills is preventing the Lebanese army from deploying on the border. "We are in constant contact with the U.S. to urge it to pressure Israel," he said, explaining that Lebanon is seeking a truce deal and not a normalization of ties with Israel.
"We have asked for indirect negotiations to demarcate the land border the same way we did with the maritime border" with Israel, Aoun told the Egyptian channel.
As for his dialogue with Hezbollah over the handover of its weapons, Aoun said he and Hezbollah are exchanging messages but that the group's security situation does not allow it to have meetings. "Hezbollah represents a segment of the Lebanese population and has the right to participate in the politics but not to keep its arms."
Aoun said that addressing the Hezbollah's disarmament should not be done too hastily, adding that Lebanon has good relations with Iran but does not accept any foreign intervention. "If the U.S.-Iranian negotiations reach a conclusion, it will affect the region and Lebanon," he said.
Aoun will also discuss this week with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas the disarmament of Palestinian camps.
By long-standing convention, Lebanon's army stays out of the Palestinian camps -- where Abbas's Fatah movement, militant group Hamas and other armed groups are present -- and leaves the factions to handle security.
Last month, the army said it had arrested several Lebanese and Palestinians in connection with rocket attacks towards Israel.
Abbas last visited the country in 2017 and will arrive in Lebanon on May 21.
Source: Naharnet
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