BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has welcomed a French-Italian initiative to establish an international coalition that would help manage the period following the end of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission, according to a statement published by the presidency on X.
TurkicWorld reports that President Aoun described the proposal as a clear demonstration of the international community’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity. He said the initiative also reflects international confidence in the Lebanese Armed Forces and their role in maintaining security across the country.
According to the statement, the Lebanese president stressed that the project acknowledges the efforts of the Lebanese army to extend state authority throughout the country, particularly in the southern border regions.
Aoun added that the initiative is fully consistent with Lebanon’s long-standing position that the Lebanese Armed Forces should remain the sole institution responsible for guaranteeing security in southern Lebanon.
