Rajji urges Arab support for Aoun's direct Israel talks initiative

BEIRUT — Lebanon's Foreign Minister Joe Rajji on Thursday urged Arab states to support President Joseph Aoun's initiative to launch direct negotiations with Israel aimed at ending the war, as regional and Islamic foreign ministers met in Riyadh to address the escalating war that has gripped the region.

In his speech, Rajji said, "Lebanon, which has long suffered from the ravages of war, is committed to the path of peace and seeks to spare its people further tragedies." "There is no alternative to negotiation and diplomatic solutions," he added.

Within this context, Rajji explained that Aoun's initiative includes plans to form a high-level delegation to engage in direct talks with Israel, with the goal of restoring stability, ending the state of war and securing lasting solutions that safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty and rights.

He added that Lebanon "is counting on the solidarity and support of Arab countries as well as the international community" to advance this initiative.

Rajji also stressed the need for swift support for the Lebanese Army to enable it to carry out its duties in maintaining security and stability and to fully implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 — including ensuring that weapons are under state control and extending state authority across all Lebanese territory.

He also criticized Iran, accusing it of directing Hezbollah and "dragging Lebanon into a war it did not choose," and said the Lebanese government continues efforts to free the country from Iranian influence.

On March 5, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's Cabinet prohibited any activity by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on its territory. It also adopted a decision requiring Iranian nationals to obtain a visa to travel to Lebanon. And on March 12, following a joint operation between Hezbollah and the IRGC against Israel, Rajji summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires in Beirut. The government decisions taken at the start of the most recent war come in addition to last year's ban on direct flights between Beirut and Tehran.

Rajji also condemned what he called "uncontrolled attacks by Iran" against Gulf states, as well as Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Azerbaijan.

On the sidelines of the Riyadh meeting, Rajji held talks with his counterparts from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.

The participants reaffirmed "their support for the security, stability and territorial integrity of Lebanon," as well as for strengthening state sovereignty across all its territory and upholding the government’s position on the state’s monopoly on arms. "They also condemned Israel's aggression against Lebanon and its expansionist policy in the region," NNA added.