Latest news with #Aoun
MTV Lebanon
3 hours ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
20 Jun 2025 17:48 PM Aoun broaches latest developments with visitors
President of the Republic Joseph Aoun received at Baabda Palace, former President Michel Sleiman, with whom he held a tour d'horizon on current developments locally, regionally, and internationally. President Sleiman said that he and the President of the Republic focused on "the necessity of keeping Lebanon away from what is happening between Iran and Israel, especially since Lebanon has already suffered greatly from the conflicts in the region." President Sleiman stressed on "the unified Lebanese position at this critical stage and the necessity of focusing on the country's supreme interest and what serves Lebanon only." Sleiman was also briefed on the outcome of the visit of the US President's envoy, Thomas Barrack. The discussion also addressed the social, economic, and daily living conditions ahead of summer season, with the hope that "the escalation will cease so that the tourist season would not be affected." President Aoun also received at Baabda Palace, Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon, Ashraf Dabbour, who said after on emerging that "the Palestinian situation and the ongoing Israeli aggression against our people in the Palestinian territories were reviewed during the meeting." Ambassador Dabour affirmed "the Palestinian people and their leadership's respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and the extension of its authority over all its territories, including the Palestinian camps, in accordance with the inaugural address and the joint presidential statement during the Lebanese-Palestinian summit, and their commitment to joint cooperation and full coordination with the Lebanese state." President Aoun later received Miss Lebanon Nada Kousa in the presence of Tourism Minister Laura Khazen Lahoud. President Aoun congratulated Miss Lebanon Kousa on her success in the Miss World competition in India, qualifying for the top 20 contestants and ranking fifth in the Miss Asia and Oceania category.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Officials say Lebanon wants to keep away from Israel-Iran war
BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 16 (UPI) -- Top Lebanese officials said Monday they want to prevent the country, which is still recovering from the recent Israel-Hezbollah war, from being dragged into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Information Minister Paul Morkos said that President Joseph Aoun emphasized during a cabinet session that "we must do everything possible to keep Lebanon away from conflicts in which we have no role or connection." Aoun described the situation in the region as "delicate," emphasizing the need to preserve Lebanon's stability and seize opportunities to support its recovery from the severe financial crisis and the widespread destruction caused by the Israel-Hezbollah war. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned during Monday's cabinet meeting the "serious Israeli aggression" against Iran," warning that "its repercussions threaten the stability of the entire region, and even global peace." Salam reiterated the need to consolidate stability in the country, especially in southern Lebanon, and "to prevent Lebanon from being drawn or dragged in any way into the ongoing regional war, as this would negatively impact its recovery." Their comments reflect clear concern that Hezbollah or other Iran-backed militant groups, primarily the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, could launch attacks or fire rockets into Israel from Lebanese territory to support Iran. Both groups have been warned against such actions when Israel launched its large-scale attacks on Iran on Friday, killing its key military leaders and targeting its nuclear program and ballistic missiles. Aoun and Salam, who came to power last January, have remained firm on their pledges to disarm all militias and impose the state monopoly on weapons. The Lebanese president has decided to initiate a dialogue with Hezbollah, which was significantly weakened by Israel, but still maintains considerable military capabilities, to discuss its disarmament in line with the terms of the cease-fire agreement that ended the war on Nov. 27. Hamas has carried out several attacks from southern Lebanon against Israel during the Gaza war that broke out in October 2023. In May, the Lebanese Army arrested several Lebanese and Palestinians suspected of firing rockets into northern Israel and warned Hamas strict measures will be taken to end any actions that violate the country's sovereignty. The rocket attacks provoked additional Israeli retaliatory strikes. More than 20,000 people have been killed or wounded in Lebanon since October 2023, when the war started in support of Gaza with daily cross-border attacks. Relentless Israeli airstrikes and bombardments have caused widespread destruction, particularly in the border villages of southern Lebanon, many of which have been reduced to rubble. The World Bank has estimated that Lebanon needs $11 billion to recover from the destruction caused by the Israel-Hezbollah war. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
4 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Officials say Lebanon wants to keep away from Israel-Iran war
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and his wife, Neernat, have a private audience with Pope Leo XIV on Friday in the Vatican. On Monday, Aoun emphasized during a cabinet meeting that 'we must do everything possible to keep Lebanon away from conflicts in which we have no role or connection.' Photo by Vatican Media/EPA-EFE BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 16 (UPI) -- Top Lebanese officials said Monday they want to prevent the country, which is still recovering from the recent Israel-Hezbollah war, from being dragged into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Information Minister Paul Morkos said that President Joseph Aoun emphasized during a cabinet session that "we must do everything possible to keep Lebanon away from conflicts in which we have no role or connection." Aoun described the situation in the region as "delicate," emphasizing the need to preserve Lebanon's stability and seize opportunities to support its recovery from the severe financial crisis and the widespread destruction caused by the Israel-Hezbollah war. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned during Monday's cabinet meeting the "serious Israeli aggression" against Iran," warning that "its repercussions threaten the stability of the entire region, and even global peace." Salam reiterated the need to consolidate stability in the country, especially in southern Lebanon, and "to prevent Lebanon from being drawn or dragged in any way into the ongoing regional war, as this would negatively impact its recovery." Their comments reflect clear concern that Hezbollah or other Iran-backed militant groups, primarily the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, could launch attacks or fire rockets into Israel from Lebanese territory to support Iran. Both groups have been warned against such actions when Israel launched its large-scale attacks on Iran on Friday, killing its key military leaders and targeting its nuclear program and ballistic missiles. Aoun and Salam, who came to power last January, have remained firm on their pledges to disarm all militias and impose the state monopoly on weapons. The Lebanese president has decided to initiate a dialogue with Hezbollah, which was significantly weakened by Israel, but still maintains considerable military capabilities, to discuss its disarmament in line with the terms of the cease-fire agreement that ended the war on Nov. 27. Hamas has carried out several attacks from southern Lebanon against Israel during the Gaza war that broke out in October 2023. In May, the Lebanese Army arrested several Lebanese and Palestinians suspected of firing rockets into northern Israel and warned Hamas strict measures will be taken to end any actions that violate the country's sovereignty. The rocket attacks provoked additional Israeli retaliatory strikes. More than 20,000 people have been killed or wounded in Lebanon since October 2023, when the war started in support of Gaza with daily cross-border attacks. Relentless Israeli airstrikes and bombardments have caused widespread destruction, particularly in the border villages of southern Lebanon, many of which have been reduced to rubble. The World Bank has estimated that Lebanon needs $11 billion to recover from the destruction caused by the Israel-Hezbollah war.
Nahar Net
6 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Macron calls Aoun, voices support for Lebanon stability
by Naharnet Newsdesk 15 June 2025, 12:35 President Joseph Aoun received a phone call Saturday evening from French President Emmanuel Macron during which they discussed 'the rapid developments after the escalation of the Iranian-Israeli confrontations,' the Presidency said. 'Macron stressed to President Aoun his country's support for Lebanon during this critical period and its backing for its sovereignty and for preserving security and stability in it,' the Presidency added. Aoun for his part thanked his French counterpart for his stance, emphasizing that 'consultations and coordination will continue to follow up on the developments.' Aoun also received a phone call from his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides and they agreed on 'the need for halting military escalation and activating negotiations to put an end to these confrontations to spare the region further disturbances that undermine stability.' Christodoulides also told Aoun that his country 'backs the efforts that are being exerted to restore calm in the region.'
Nahar Net
7 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Aoun holds security meeting over latest developments
by Naharnet Newsdesk 14 June 2025, 12:04 President Joseph Aoun on Saturday convened a security meeting to discuss the latest developments in light of the major escalation between Israel and Iran. The Presidency said the meeting was attended by the ministers of defense, interior and transportation and the country's military and security chiefs. Aoun had cut short a trip to the Vatican on Friday and returned to Lebanon to follow up on the situations. In a statement that day, Aoun said Israel's attack on Iran 'did not only target the Iranian people, but also all international efforts exerted to maintain stability in the Middle East and neighboring countries and avoid escalation therein.' He called for 'the international community to take effective and swift action to prevent Israel from achieving its goals.'
