Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has said his country wants to reach a security agreement with Israel following an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, while also seeking to disarm Hezbollah without triggering an internal confrontation. In an exclusive interview with AFP ahead of his visit to France, Aoun said Lebanon was determined to strengthen the authority of the state and prevent a security vacuum in the south. His comments come amid continuing tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border and preparations for the departure of United Nations peacekeepers from the region. Aoun said Lebanon would need an alternative security arrangement if the UN peacekeeping presence in southern Lebanon ends when the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expires at the end of the year.

He said the priority was to ensure that there was no gap in security during the transition. “What matters is that there is no vacuum,” Aoun told AFP on Tuesday. He said any replacement force would be temporary and would remain in place until the Lebanese army was capable of deploying across the south. The Lebanese president said he was open to a range of international arrangements for such a force. He said it could involve European or non-European countries, the United States, the United Nations, Asian countries, Arab states or a combination of them. “Whatever the nature of this force, that poses no problem for me,” Aoun said.

However, he added that extending UNIFIL’s mandate remained the preferred option. The force has operated in southern Lebanon for decades, monitoring the cessation of hostilities and supporting efforts to maintain stability in the area. Aoun also called on the United States, the European Union and Arab countries to provide support to the Lebanese military as it expands its deployment in southern Lebanon and other parts of the country. The issue is closely connected to the Lebanese government's efforts to consolidate state control over territory and establish the army as the principal security force.

Also Read: MEA Confirms India Extended Two Invitations To Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman

Aoun said Lebanon wanted to avoid confrontation while pursuing the disarmament of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed and political group that maintains a significant military presence and has fought several conflicts with Israel. The president said Lebanon wanted to pursue Hezbollah’s disarmament through political and institutional means rather than through armed conflict inside the country. The issue remains highly sensitive given Hezbollah’s military capabilities and its longstanding role in Lebanon’s security and politics. Any attempt to remove the group’s weapons could carry significant domestic and regional implications. Aoun’s stated approach is therefore centred on dialogue and avoiding a confrontation that could further destabilise Lebanon, while seeking to strengthen the capacity of the Lebanese armed forces.

Aoun is scheduled to travel to France on Wednesday, where he will attend a meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and also attended by Jordan’s King Abdullah II. The meeting is intended to build international support for the Lebanese army as it expands its deployment. Aoun’s visit comes as Beirut seeks international backing for the country’s security institutions and efforts to manage the transition in the south. He also said Lebanon wanted to establish a security agreement with Israel after an Israeli withdrawal from the area, suggesting that Beirut sees strengthened state security and international support as central to reducing the risk of renewed confrontation along the border.

Also Read: MEA Condemns Unsafe Naval Manoeuvres, Summons Pakistani Charge d’Affaires