Aoun vows to preserve Lebanon's 'territorial integrity'
President Joseph Aoun on Monday pledged to preserve Lebanon's territorial integrity, in the wake of the storm of controversy sparked by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's latest remarks about Lebanon and Syria.
'Lebanon's territorial integrity is a national principle that is enshrined in the constitution and protected by the Lebanese Army and the will of the Lebanese who have offered sacrifices throughout the years to preserve it,' Aoun said.
"After my election as president, I took an oath to preserve the country's independence and territorial integrity and mistaken are those who think that he who has taken two oaths to defend a unified Lebanon might break his oath for any reason or might accept any similar proposals,' the president added.
As for the thorny issue of Hezbollah's arms, Aoun reiterated that 'the decision to monopolize arms in the hands of the state has been taken, in line with the Taif Accord.'
'This matter, alongside having the decisions of peace and war in the hands of the state, are among the main components and essential principles of any state,' the president added.
Barrack has warned in an interview with the UAE's The National newspaper that Lebanon risks being swallowed by regional powers unless it acts to address Hezbollah's arms and implement reforms.
'You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again,' he said, using the historical name for the Syria region.
'Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we need to move. And I know how frustrated the Lebanese people are. It frustrates me,' he added.
Barrack later clarified that his remarks were not a 'threat to Lebanon.'
'My comments … praised Syria's impressive strides, not a threat to Lebanon. I observed the reality that Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by @POTUS's (U.S. President Donald Trump's) lifting of sanctions: investment from Türkiye and the Gulf, diplomatic outreach to neighboring countries, and a clear vision for the future,' Barrack said in a post on X.
'I can assure that Syria's leaders only want co-existence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon, and the United States is committed to supporting that relationship between two equal and sovereign neighbors enjoying peace and prosperity,' Barrack added.
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