THIS IS BEIRUT (Lebanese news site) -- President Joseph Aoun said Friday on CNN that Lebanon must seize what he described as a historic opportunity to end decades of conflict with Israel, while sharply criticizing Iran’s role in Lebanese affairs and calling on Hezbollah to embrace negotiations.
In an interview with CNN, Aoun said the current moment offers a chance to permanently end hostilities between Lebanon and Israel. “The state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel must come to an end forever,” he said, adding that the two countries have “a great opportunity to live in security and peace.”
Aoun stressed that the Lebanese public has grown weary of recurring conflicts. “The Lebanese people are tired of the war between Israel and Hezbollah,” he said. However, he ruled out a direct meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a formal agreement to end the war is reached.
The president also delivered some of his strongest remarks yet regarding Iran’s influence in Lebanon, accusing Tehran of using the country as leverage in its negotiations with the United States.