Lebanon is determined to build its army and extend its control over the whole country to end a cycle of violence, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday following an Israeli strike on Beirut.
"We reject any attack on Lebanon or any suspicious, malicious attempt to return Lebanon to the cycle of violence," Aoun told a joint press conference with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
"I call on Lebanon’s friends to act quickly to stop the deterioration and help Lebanon implement international resolutions," Aoun said.
"What is happening increases our determination and commitment to build our country and army, and extend our control over all of our lands."
Israel on Friday carried out its first major airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs in months, retaliating for an earlier rocket launch from Lebanon in the most serious test of a shaky ceasefire deal agreed in November.
Macron said that there was no activity justifying Israel's "unacceptable strikes on Beirut" and that he would call US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the attacks.
Macron said the renewed tensions "mark a turning point."
"The framework agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel was not respected today by Israel unilaterally and without us having either information or proof of the triggering event," he added.
Macron and Aoun met to discuss economic reforms and efforts to stabilize Lebanon.
France will continue to be at Lebanon’s side to help it preserve its sovereignty and guarantee its security, Macron vowed.
"This is what we want to do alongside you in the south. This is also what we want to do on the border with Syria, where the situation is also extremely delicate," he said.
