BEIRUT / ISTANBUL
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that Israel’s continued occupation of southern territory is obstructing the government’s plan to limit all weapons to state authority.
Speaking during separate meetings in Beirut with Hamish Falconer, the UK assistant foreign secretary for Middle East and North Africa affairs, and Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, Aoun said Lebanon’s stability serves Europe’s interests, as cited by a presidency statement.
The Lebanese Cabinet on Aug. 5 approved a plan to place all weapons -- including those held by Hezbollah -- under state control and tasked the army with drafting and implementing the plan before the end of 2025.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has repeatedly rejected the move and insists that Israeli forces must fully withdraw from Lebanese territory before laying down arms.
The presidency said Aoun and the British official discussed the situation in Lebanon, particularly in the south. Falconer praised the Lebanese army’s role south of the Litani River and its coordination with the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL, reaffirming the UK’s support for Lebanon’s military.
Aoun thanked the British government for its support, specifically for helping build watchtowers along Lebanon’s eastern and northern borders and for launching a similar project in the south.
He said the army has fulfilled its duties since its deployment south of the Litani River under a November 2024 ceasefire deal but noted that the deployment remains incomplete “because Israel continues to occupy Lebanese land and has not complied with the agreement.”
He added that Israel’s daily violations “keep tensions high and threaten the lives and property of civilians.”
Tensions have been mounting in southern Lebanon for weeks, with the Israeli army intensifying near-daily air raids inside Lebanese territory despite the ceasefire that has been in place since November 2024.
“Negotiations are the only path to end the (Israeli) occupation and its consequences,” Aoun stressed. He said the army is carrying out a comprehensive plan to restrict weapons to the state and submits regular reports to the Cabinet, but Israel’s continued occupation is blocking implementation. He also said the military is working to collect weapons from some Palestinian camps.
Meeting the Dutch defense minister, Aoun said European support is “essential” and called on European states to play an active role in pressuring Israel to halt its attacks and respond to Lebanon’s efforts for withdrawal and de-escalation.
The presidency said Brekelmans reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to support the Lebanese army and praised its role in maintaining security, especially in the south. He also expressed readiness to encourage investment in Lebanon and invited Aoun to visit the Netherlands.
Earlier Tuesday, Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Mansi met Brekelmans at the ministry east of Beirut, where the two signed a defense cooperation agreement, according to the Defense Ministry.
Mansi highlighted the “deep friendship” between the two countries and thanked the Netherlands for its economic, humanitarian and military support.
Brekelmans said the Netherlands remains committed to supporting Lebanon’s people, state and army in recognition of the military’s role in maintaining stability and working with UN forces in the south.
Lebanon and the Netherlands maintain close cooperation in multiple fields, especially in support for the armed forces, development projects and humanitarian assistance.