Khaberni - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Sunday that the ongoing presence of weapons outside the framework of the state now constitutes a burden on its environment and on Lebanon as a whole, confirming that this weapon "has finished its role" and no longer serves any deterrent function amid the Lebanese commitment to national consensus and civil peace.
Aoun explained in his remarks that the Lebanese people desire stability and prevention of collapse, pointing out that the state is working on re-establishing its institutions. He noted that there are stipulated powers and others entrenched by practice, with the Taif Agreement serving as the fundamental reference in this context, according to the official Lebanese news agency.
The Lebanese president affirmed that the principle of the exclusive control of arms by the state is clearly stated in the Taif Agreement, as reiterated in the oath of office and the government's ministerial statement, emphasizing that this demand is domestic and not aimed at pleasing foreign entities, but is considered one of the foundations of state-building, alongside the exclusivity of decisions on peace and war.
President Joseph Aoun affirmed that the decision to monopolize arms in the hands of the state encompasses all armed groups, including arms within Palestinian camps in the south of the country, noting that efforts are underway to gradually withdraw these arms, with about 30% of the process completed so far, and follow-up continues, confirming that the implementation of the decision requires time and cannot be accomplished immediately.
In the same context, Aoun stressed that the Lebanese army is performing its duties based on available capabilities and information, noting the relative cooperation in the southern region, and confirming that the priority remains to accomplish the mission entrusted to the military institution.
He explained that the army continues to carry out the tasks of maintaining security and controlling borders, which poses a significant burden given limited resources, noting that any additional support would speed up the execution of these tasks and enhance their effectiveness.
He added that the army has enhanced its deployment in southern Lebanon and north of the Litani River, and has implemented strict instructions to confiscate any shipments or attempts to smuggle weapons and to arrest tho0se involved, confirming that handling ammunition and explosives is carried out with the utmost caution.
The president referred to the army losing 12 personnel in the south while dealing with explosives, including engineering experts, indicating that the military institution has requested specialized technical assistance to enable it to carry out its tasks safely and efficiently.
Aoun also renewed his affirmation of Lebanon's commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative, in the context of its efforts to enhance stability and protect civil peace in the country.
