Naharnet

'What you see, not what you hear': Aoun says only army operating south of Litani

President Joseph Aoun stressed Tuesday in a press conference his commitment to disarm Hezbollah and implement the state's monopoly on arms.

"We want the south only under the army's control," Aoun said, as he welcomed foreign diplomats and ambassadors at the Baabda palace. "We want to rebuild all what has been destroyed as a result of attacks and adventures."

Aoun said his goal on the international level, was "to restore Lebanon to its natural place and position within the Arab fold, as well as within international and global legitimacy." "This is what I have consistently worked to do, step by step, through ten visits to brotherly Arab nations, four to friendly European countries, and through my participation in three Arab, Islamic, and international events."

Aoun said the Lebanese army is today the only armed force south of the Litani river after it disarmed Hezbollah there, invoking a phrase used by former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, "the truth is what you see, not what you hear".

"What we have seen with our own eyes is that not a single bullet has been fired from Lebanon during the year of my presidency. This confirms that only the Lebanese Army is operating south of the Litani River."

Source: Naharnet


Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. https://prod.naharnet.com/stories/en/317802