Lebanese president: Talks with Israel mark beginning of the end of Lebanon’s suffering

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun expresses his hope that the meeting between Israel and Lebanon in Washington “will mark the beginning of the end of the suffering of the Lebanese people in general and the residents of the south in particular.”

“The only solution lies in the Lebanese Army redeploying to the internationally recognized borders,” he tell Italian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Luciano Portolano, according to the Lebanese readout, “thereby becoming the sole authority responsible for the security of the region and the safety of its residents, without any partnership from any party whatsoever,” a likely reference to Iran and Hezbollah.

During the Beirut meeting, Aoun says he will welcome the presence of Italy and other nations contributing to UNIFIL after the peacekeeping mission’s mandate ends in 2027.