Aoun vows Lebanon won’t surrender territory to Israel amid 'diplomatic war'

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has staunchly defended a recently signed U.S.-backed framework agreement with Israel, characterizing the negotiations as a necessary 'diplomatic war' rather than a betrayal. He emphatically stated that Lebanon will not surrender any territory to Israel, despite the ongoing conflict and pressure from various international actors.

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Negotiations with Israel are not treason but a diplomatic war without unnecessary bloodshed.

The agreement, aimed at securing peace, outlines a gradual process for the Lebanese army to establish control over southern Lebanon as Hezbollah disarms and Israeli forces withdraw. However, the timeline remains undisclosed, and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has indicated that Israeli troops may stay in designated 'security zones' in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza indefinitely.

Adding a layer of regional diplomacy, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited Beirut to reassure President Aoun that Damascus has no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon. This assurance comes amidst reports of U.S. pressure on Syria to potentially act against Hezbollah. Shaibani extended an invitation for Aoun to visit Syria, signaling an effort to ease regional tensions.

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We will not yield a single inch of Lebanese territory.

The recent escalation began in March when Hezbollah launched missiles into Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes and a ground invasion that has resulted in significant casualties in Lebanon. The framework agreement represents a complex effort to de-escalate the conflict, though its implementation faces considerable challenges and uncertainties, particularly regarding the conditions for Israeli withdrawal.

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Syria had no intention of undertaking such a move.