President Aoun: Israeli Threats against Lebanon Are Our Main Concern

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"The continuous Israeli threats against Lebanon are the main concern of the Lebanese state," Lebanese President Michel Aoun affirmed during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly via video on Friday.

President Aoun added that "the latest manifestations of these threats is evident in the Israeli attempt of oil and gas exploration in the disputed area on the maritime boundaries."

التهديدات الإسرائيلية المستمرة ضد لبنان هي الهمّ الشاغل للدولة اللبنانية، وآخر مظاهرها يتصل بالسعي الإسرائيلي للتنقيب عن النفط والغاز في المنطقة المتنازع عليها على الحدود البحرية

— General Michel Aoun (@General_Aoun) September 24, 2021

He added that Lebanon condemns any attempt to attack the boundaries of the exclusive economic zone, in which Lebanon hold on to its right to the oil and gas wealth lying therein, explaining that granting exploration licenses began months ago but then stopped as a result of pressures whose source is no longer hidden from anyone.

Aoun also pointed out that "Lebanon demands the resumption of indirect negotiations to demarcate the southern maritime boundary under international laws," confirming that Lebanon "will not back down and will not accept any compromises, and the international community should stand by it."

Aoun had received the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, last Wednesday, and conveyed Lebanon's objection to the Israeli drilling within the contested maritime zone.

For his part, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, declared that "the Israeli entity's awarding of drilling contacts in the contested maritime block is a violation of the framework agreement," clarifying that the Israeli occupation's excessive antagonism threatens international peace and security.

In October 2020, Berri said In October 2020, Berri had said that a framework agreement had been achieved that would lay out the roadmap for Lebanon's negotiators in the land and maritime border demarcation talks between Lebanon and occupied Palestine.

Subsequently, Lebanon and the Israeli occupation had held 5 rounds of indirect talks, sponsored by the United States and the United Nations in order to demarcate borders.

Governmental challenges

Concerning government affairs, Aoun said that great challenges await his country's new government. He called on the international community to provide funding to revive Lebanon's economy, which is suffering from a severe crisis.

نحن، وإذ نعوّل على المجتمع الدولي لتمويل مشاريع حيوية في القطاعين العام والخاص من أجل إعادة إنعاش الدورة الاقتصادية وخلق فرص عمل، فإنّنا نعول عليه أيضاً في مساعدتنا على استعادة الأموال المهربة والمتأتية من جرائم فساد

— General Michel Aoun (@General_Aoun) September 24, 2021

President Aoun declared that Lebanon is counting on the international community to fund vital projects in the public and private sectors to revive the economic cycle and create job opportunities and to recover the smuggled funds as a result of corruption.