Aoun: Neutrality Doesn’t Mean Giving Up Lebanon’s Right to Self-defense

President Michel Aoun met Thursday with a delegation of the Muslim Scholars Association in Lebanon. NNA
President Michel Aoun met Thursday with a delegation of the Muslim Scholars Association in Lebanon. NNA
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Aoun: Neutrality Doesn’t Mean Giving Up Lebanon’s Right to Self-defense

President Michel Aoun met Thursday with a delegation of the Muslim Scholars Association in Lebanon. NNA
President Michel Aoun met Thursday with a delegation of the Muslim Scholars Association in Lebanon. NNA

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Thursday that neutrality does not mean that the state gives up its right to self-defense, adding that Lebanon is in no position to attack anyone or support disputes.

“But we are obligated to defend ourselves, whether we are neutral or not,” he said.

Aoun’s stance came during a meeting with a delegation from the Muslim Scholars Association in Lebanon, headed by Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Judge Sheikh Ahmed Al-Zein, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda.
On corruption, the President stressed the need for an investigation on the sources of funds and whoever manages them.

“We will resort to adopting a successful method that secures handing over the files through forensic auditing, although we are facing resistance not at the popular level but at other levels, which requires your help because we cannot accomplish this matter unless there is a movement that supports us in doing so,” he said.

Aoun confirmed that terrorists will not be able to act on Lebanese soil.

“Those who expelled the terrorists from our mountains and plains will not allow them in again,” he noted.

The President said Lebanon has finally laid down a plan for the return of Syrian refugees provided that in the next stage a meeting of concerned authorities to arrange the return is called for, in coordination and agreement with Syria, and with the countries concerned with the affairs of the displaced.

“We have always called on the countries concerned with their affairs to do what they must in order to secure refugees’ return, and we waited for their positions, so that today we have to do what is practical to push these countries to fulfill their duties towards them,” Aoun stressed.

The President added that concerned authorities are vigilant in securing the southern border in light of Lebanon’s keenness to resolve disputed issues with Israel through UN mediation.

He also addressed the economic crisis, indicating that work is underway to secure increased aid to needy families, in line with the state’s abilities and the assistance it receives.

On Wednesday, the President met with Maronite Patriach Beshara al-Rai who confirmed that Lebanon needs to stay neutral to be saved from hunger and poverty.



CENTCOM Nominee: US Needs Troops in Syria to Stop ISIS Comeback

US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper 
US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper 
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CENTCOM Nominee: US Needs Troops in Syria to Stop ISIS Comeback

US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper 
US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper 

ISIS remains a threat in Syria and a US military presence is still needed there to deal with it, US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said in his confirmation hearing to become the next head of US Central Command.

The Pentagon has already decided to significantly reduce the number of troops in the country from 2,000 to fewer than 1,000.

But Cooper told the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 24 there is a continued need for at least some presence. And he argued that the complex situation in Syria needs to be weighed before making additional troop cuts.

“Presence is indispensable in the execution of the counter-ISIS mission today,” said Cooper, who currently serves as the deputy commander of CENTCOM, which oversees US forces in the Middle East.

“We have led it. We lead it today, and I anticipate we’ll lead it into the future. Every decision made on force posture is going to be conditions-based as I look to the future,” he added.

When asked by Senator Joni Ernst about the church bombing in Syria few days ago, Cooper said, “We are focused on this problem set every single day. ISIS remains a threat, and as we look to the future, and if confirmed, I will remain nose down on this threat. It is an absolute priority.”

Cooper said the US was right to back Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa and that he was a vital partner in the campaign against ISIS.

“ISIS thrives in chaos,” Cooper said. “If the government of Syria, now seven months into their existence, can help suppress that ISIS threat, along with the US forces in the region, that stability helps create our own security.”

He added, “I think, given the dynamic nature of what’s happening today, that assessment [of required US troops in Syria] in the future could look different than it does today, perhaps.”

Cooper said the US played—and continues to play—a central role in the anti-ISIS campaign.

“The United States has led this mission from the outset. We still lead it today, and I expect that leadership to continue as we move forward, guided by operational realities,” he affirmed.