President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, asserted Lebanon’s adherence to its full rights and sovereignty by land, sea and air, through implementing Resolution 1701. President Aoun pointed out that “Repeated Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty are condemned by the Lebanon and the UN must exert pressures on Israel to stop these violations”.
Positions of the President came while meeting UNIFIL Commander, General Stefano Del Col, on a farewell visit marking the end of his missions in Lebanon.
General Del Col thanked Lebanon in general and the President in specific since he did not feel lonely while carrying out his duties in implementing Resolution 1701.
“South Lebanon is the most peaceful region. I wish Lebanon a future without international security forces, where the Lebanese would live in peace and bear witness to the relations between countries and attract tourists worldwide” General Del Col said.
Moreover, Del Col praised the strong relations between UNIFIL forces and municipalities and local authorities in south Lebanon, indicating that UNFIIL do not look at a race or religion, “But rather work with the population on the basis of public interest”. General Del Col expressed his insistence that the UN Security Council would extend the provision of assistance from UNIFIL to the Army for a period exceeding 6 months, which is stipulated in the previous relevant resolution.
In addition, General Del Col emphasized the importance of the linkage mechanism working with the tripartite mechanism which “Constitutes a unique forum at the tactical level to discuss what would avoid any misunderstanding on southern borders”. Del Col also pointed out that “International Emergency Forces hosted five rounds of indirect negotiations to demarcate southern maritime borders”, hoping that upon his return to the south as a tourist, he would not find any mistake, but rather demarcated borders in the interest of Lebanon.
Finally, Del Col asserted that “UNIFIL constitutes a window for others to discuss and debate in an atmosphere of stability; however UNIFIL cannot replace diplomatic and political endeavors which alone would create a normal future situation”.
President Aoun:
For his part, the President welcomed General Del Col and thanked him for the efforts he made while assuming his missions and for the love he expressed to the Lebanese.
President Aoun also thanked the UN for everything done in order to provide aid to the Lebanese in various difficult circumstances which Lebanon had witnessed. President Aoun asserted his gratitude for the efforts made by UNIFIL forces to maintain stability in south Lebanon.
Moreover, the President stressed that “Lebanon is committed to maintaining calm and stability in the south and implementing Resolution 1701”, indicating that the repeated Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty are condemned by the Lebanese. President Aoun said that the UN should exert pressure on Israel to stop these violations.
In conclusion, President Aoun emphasized Lebanon’s adherence to its full rights and sovereignty by land, sea and air, in accordance with international laws and charters.
