Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed in an interview with the “Asas Media” platform published on Tuesday that “the party [Hezbollah] in its military wing is finished,” stressing that negotiation has become the only option to achieve a political solution away from the noise and populism on the eve of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Aoun noted that “the Shiites are tired after 40 years of struggle without any prospect,” adding that Lebanon’s position will remain supportive of the Palestinian cause within a collective negotiating framework, and not in isolation from others.
He pointed to his meeting with the Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, explaining that he had spoken to him sternly about Lebanon’s internal responsibilities, which had raised tensions on the Iranian side.
Aoun stressed that his goal is “to build a normal state in which the Lebanese live with pride, dignity and prosperity,” noting the importance of restricting weapons to the state: “This is the ABC of the establishment of states, and there is no establishment without it. Before and after Taif, before and after the constitution, either we are a state or we are not.”
The president added that the Lebanese army has legitimacy and the support of the people, and will have “a free hand in the south and elsewhere,” stressing his commitment to completing his mission to ensure the sovereignty of the state and end the dominance of weapons outside its institutions.
