Lebanese president says ‘diplomatic contacts’ are pushing back ‘specter of war’ with Israel

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, who has promised to disarm Hezbollah, expresses optimism that diplomatic efforts will prevent Israel from embarking on another major military operation in Lebanon.

“Diplomatic contacts to push back the specter of war have not stopped,” says Aoun. “I tell you that the specter of war has been pushed away from Lebanon, and matters will head in a positive direction, God willing.”

Last week, Israeli and Lebanese officials met directly in the southern Lebanon town of Naqoura, as the two enemy states look to maintain the year-old ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war.

Aoun, in an oblique jab at the armed Shiite terror group Hezbollah, called for a “state of institutions, not a state of parties and sects.”

“There is a wound that is bleeding in the south,” says Aoun. “And I hope that with the birth of the new Lebanon, we will put an end to the wars and live in peace.”

Aoun made the comments after a Christmas Day meeting with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi.

In his Christmas Day message, Rahi called for praying for the success of negotiations, and for the Lebanese Army’s success in collecting “illegal weapons,” another reference to Hezbollah.