Beirut, July 29 (QNA) – Lebanese President Gen. Joseph Aoun stressed Wednesday that the state’s monopoly on the use of weapons is a wholly Lebanese sovereign decision.
He highlighted that this decision is taken through internal dialogue and sponsored by the President of the Republic, as well as legitimate state institutions.
Aoun further emphasized that Lebanon is committed to the accord signed in Washington, whose success is contingent upon palpable assurances, primarily the complete and synchronized Israeli withdrawal, coupled with the deployment of the Lebanese military, in addition to thoroughly ceasing breaches and assaults in the south.
The Lebanese state, represented by the President of the Republic and the government, is the sole entity that retains the power to take decisions when it comes to sovereignty, security, and relations with external bodies, Aoun noted, stating that this is what he insists on continuously.
Reciprocally, Aoun said he is aware of the fact that the success of executing the understandings yielded by the ceasefire and addressing the outstanding issues, foremost among which is the monopoly on the use of weapons, requires an accumulative approach and constant internal dialogue.
This, the President suggested, should be away from confrontation, and at the end of the day, all should be convinced that Lebanon’s supreme interest lies in a powerful nation with its legitimate institutions only, not in having divisions over war and peace decisions. (QNA)