Lebanese President Joseph Aoun defended the framework agreement with Israel during a meeting with several journalists, saying that those opposing the move must offer an alternative that can bring Lebanon out of war, Al-Jadeed reported on Sunday.
“I am telling you that I am not in love with Israel, but give me another solution, whatever it may be,” Aoun said, according to the Lebanese television network. “I am telling those who oppose this framework that I am waiting for any solution or agreement that will get us out of wars.”
The United States, Israel, and Lebanon signed a trilateral framework agreement aimed at combating Hezbollah last week, after days of US-mediated talks in Washington.
According to a US State Department statement, the agreement outlines a structured process for disarming Hezbollah, dismantling terrorist infrastructure, and enabling the IDF to withdraw from Lebanon once the threat posed by Hezbollah is removed.
Israel remains in southern Lebanon security zone
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that as of the signing of the agreement, Israel will “remain [in] the security zone in southern Lebanon” and coordinate the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area as the Lebanese army works to disarm Hezbollah and establish control over territory.
Under the deal negotiated in Washington, Israel agreed to withdraw from two areas that will be taken over by the Lebanese army as pilot zones where it will aim to implement plans to disarm Hezbollah.
The agreement also established a US-facilitated trilateral Military Coordination Group for Lebanon to ensure the implementation of the framework.