Back in Beirut, Aoun chairs security meeting

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun chaired a security meeting Saturday morning focused on “monitoring ongoing developments,” following Israel’s unprecedented attack on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes, the presidency said on X.

The meeting was attended by the ministers of Defense, Interior, and Public Works, the army commander-in-chief, and the directors-general of the Internal Security Forces (ISF), General Security, and State Security.

President Aoun had cut short his visit to the Vatican on Friday, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reviewed emergency plans with key ministers and the army chief, after tensions in the region sharply escalated. Public Works Minister Fayez Rassamny announced on Saturday morning the reopening of Lebanese airspace as of 10 a.m., in coordination with the Directorate of Civil Aviation, following its overnight closure amid the Iran-Israel escalation.

Israeli airstrikes began overnight Thursday into Friday and hit, among other targets, Tehran, killing senior military officials. The strikes came amid mounting pressure on Iran, which is accused by Western powers and Israel of seeking nuclear weapons—claims Tehran has consistently denied. The Islamic Republic responded by launching volleys of missiles at Israel, claiming to target “bases” and “military infrastructure.”

De retour à Beyrouth, Aoun préside une réunion sécuritaire