Aoun: Normalization with Israel is Not on the Agenda of Lebanon's Current Foreign Policy

SadaNews - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that normalization with Israel is "not on the agenda of Lebanon's current foreign policy". Aoun said during a meeting with a delegation from the Arab and International Relations Council on Friday, "Peace is the absence of war, and this is what matters to us in Lebanon at the moment; as for normalization, it is not on the agenda of Lebanon's current foreign policy." These comments represent the first official Lebanese reaction to statements made by Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa’ar, who said on June 30 that Israel is "interested" in normalizing relations with Syria and Lebanon. On another note, Aoun emphasized Lebanon's commitment to maintaining good relations with Syria, while "ensuring non-interference in the internal affairs of either country." The Lebanese President stressed the "importance of the unity of the Lebanese and the cooperation of different parties with the state, in order to protect and fortify the country, and confront any conspiracies that may be plotted." He added, "The decision on the exclusivity of arms has been made and there is no going back, and the decision of war and peace is within the jurisdiction of the Cabinet." We note the role played by the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, in "contributing to stabilizing the situation, supporting efforts to rebuild the state, and achieving the principle of arms exclusivity."