Ahead of Lebanon–Israel talks in Washington, MPs voice support for Aoun’s initiative

BEIRUT — Expressions of support for President Joseph Aoun's initiative to launch direct negotiations with Israel are mounting among visitors to the Presidential Palace in Baabda.

Information Minister Paul Morcos assured on Tuesday, during a meeting with the president, that the "solution" to the war in Lebanon since March 2 "lies in negotiation under international auspices, and war will only worsen the destruction in Lebanon." Similarly, Zgharta MP Michel Moawad said he "supports the state's decision to make this war the last one."

"We are moving toward the solution previously proposed by President Joseph Aoun," Morcos said, referring to Aoun's efforts to initiate talks with Israel in Washington, the first preparatory meeting for which is scheduled for Tuesday night.

"Aoun's efforts are clearly focused on demanding, insisting on, and pressing for a cease-fire and an end to the war, and we are acting within the framework of this presidential initiative," emphasized Morcos. He also said he had informed the head of state about "actions taken by the foreign ministry and international bodies to counter Israeli attacks on journalists" in Lebanon.

"We met with international officials and European ambassadors and handed them protest notes to ensure the protection of journalists in the exercise of their duties," he added, two weeks after Israel targeted and killed three journalists with a strike on their car in Jezzine, southern Lebanon, including the stalwart war reporter for al-Manar Ali Choeib.

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Ending the war

After a meeting Tuesday with President Aoun at Baabda Palace, MP Michel Moawad for his part said that "Lebanon has a real opportunity to end the war."

"It is the only way for the state to regain full sovereignty over its entire territory," he added. "We support the state's decision to make this war the last, and to make it the beginning of a future of peace, stability, and prosperity. We affirm our support for the state's decision to implement the principle of a demilitarized Beirut as a first step, in accordance with decisions made by the government on Aug. 5 and 7 and March 2, paving the way for a Lebanon free of illegal weapons, where only legitimate arms are in the hands of the state, the sole guarantor of the protection of the Lebanese people," the MP insisted.

He further argued that "direct negotiations with Israel are not a capitulation, but a responsibility, an act of courage, and a national choice." "If that were the case, other regimes, like the Iranian regime, would not have resorted to negotiation to defend their interests, while Lebanon is deprived of its right to negotiate to save itself from destruction and collapse," said Moawad.

"We affirm our support for the president of the republic and the state. Between the state and militias, our choice is the state; between war and peace, our choice is peace; between stability and conflict, our choice is stability; and between Lebanon and any other country or axis, our choice has always been and will remain Lebanon," he concluded.

Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) MP Akram Chehayeb also expressed his support for Aoun during a visit to the Presidential Palace in Baabda, stressing the "importance of the diplomatic route to end the fighting and establish a state monopoly on weapons."

"We support President Aoun's position on direct negotiations in a specific framework, as indicated in the presidential initiative," he added. He also insisted on "the need to bolster security and support the army in order to consolidate the country's stability and security," also highlighting "the importance of providing ongoing support to displaced people, in accordance with the mechanism established by the government."

Aoun also received the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, for a meeting devoted to the situation in the country and the continuing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to a statement from Baabda.

UN officials

Aoun also met with the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, for a meeting focused on the situation in the country and the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to a statement from the presidency.

He also met with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Saleh, to whom he stated that “even after a cease-fire, the consequences of the population displacement will be significant,” requiring “urgent aid” for Beirut. “The Israeli attacks on Lebanon have caused a serious humanitarian disaster, leading to the displacement of more than a million Lebanese from the targeted areas,” Aoun noted. For his part, Saleh, also a former president of Iraq, said he had come to Lebanon to convey a “message of solidarity.” “We have confirmed the support of the international community and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon, as well as our partnership with the government to assist the displaced,” he emphasized, stating that whilst “humanitarian aid is essential, the fundamental solution remains the end of the war and the establishment of a lasting peace.”

On Monday, Israel summoned the Italian ambassador after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Israel's "unacceptable attacks" on civilians in Lebanon during a visit to Beirut where he met with Aoun and Foreign Minister Joe Rajji.

The Italian foreign minister called for dialogue between Lebanon and Israel and a "necessary and lasting cease-fire," adding: "Every effort must be made to avoid another escalation like the one in Gaza."