With increasing military tension between the US and Iran in and around the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun is trying to hold onto hope of emerging from the catastrophe that has afflicted his country.
Using the word "catastrophe" is not an exaggeration. The Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon has expanded, bringing with it destruction, exacerbating the suffering of displaced persons, and intensifying division over responsibility for the war and ways out of it.
Facing the Israeli military occupation of the South, Lebanon has no choice but to rely on American assistance, which it hopes will materialize further after the scheduled meeting at the White House on July 21 between the US and Lebanese presidents.
Aoun's Priorities for the Meeting with Trump
At Baabda Palace, Asharq Al-Awsat asked Aoun what Lebanon seeks from the White House meeting.
He replied: "First, we want Lebanon to remain on the American agenda ... There is no need to reiterate the importance of having a good relationship with the US and benefiting from President Donald Trump's expressed desire to help us; his role is vital, and we are counting on it."
"We face an extremely difficult and complex situation. We know well that the US is the only party capable of exerting pressure on the Israeli government to prevent it from targeting the southern suburbs (of Beirut), infrastructure, or expanding occupied areas in southern Lebanon. No other party can fulfill this role."
"We want the US administration to help us restore our entire land. We will not relinquish a single inch or a single citizen. The issue of our sovereignty is not subject to concession or interpretation. It is at the forefront of the national principles that we are keen to adhere to. We want the land to be returned and to be under the sole authority of the Lebanese army, meaning under the authority of legitimate Lebanese institutions," Aoun added.
He stressed that Lebanon is asking for its natural right to extend the authority of its legitimate institutions over all Lebanese territories. "We cannot leave southern Lebanon captive to regional developments, with its people paying heavy prices in lives and property."
"Lebanon's fate cannot be separated from the fate of its south, neither in security, nor in economy, nor in stability," Aoun added.
"We want President Trump to support our legitimate demands for the restoration of our entire land, and he is expected to succeed in persuading Israel to withdraw from Lebanon. I want to inform him of the reality in southern Lebanon and the dangers of maintaining the current situation or returning to escalation," Aoun told Asharq-Awsat.
He also hoped for American support for the Lebanese army, which is tasked with difficult missions, and for the reconstruction of what the war has destroyed and assistance to stimulate the Lebanese economy after the significant losses it has suffered.
Calculations of Direct Negotiation with Israel
Regarding the division over the method of direct negotiations with Israel, Aoun said: "We were not in a situation that allowed for ideal choices. The war threatened to expand, along with Israel threatening to occupy more territory. The scenes of displacement were harsh, as were the scenes of destruction."
"There was a risk of widespread destruction to Beirut and its infrastructure. We were effectively faced with a single option, especially given the significant imbalance of power. We had no choice but to seek assistance from the US. Direct negotiations were the only available option for us to make a serious attempt to shorten the period of occupation of our land, alleviate the suffering of the displaced, open the door for their return to their villages, and strive to rebuild what was destroyed."
Aoun pointed out that "the state is responsible for the fate of every inch and every citizen. There is no distinction between one inch and another, or one citizen and another. We made difficult decisions based on our national responsibilities. We cannot continue to pay prices for any other party."
"Lebanon's decisions must be made within its legitimate institutions. Lebanon must defend its interests, sovereignty, and stability, which is why we said we would not accept anyone else negotiating on our behalf or in our name, nor becoming a bargaining chip in others' calculations," he stated.
Regarding the uproar caused by Trump's suggestion of a meeting between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Aoun stated that "the idea of this meeting is fundamentally ruled out, but social media and others sometimes indulge in baseless scenarios."
Attempts to Overthrow the Government
Regarding the possibility of opponents of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel resorting to overthrowing the government, he said: "Changing the government is guided by constitutional frameworks. However, using the street to overthrow the cabinet is rejected. Furthermore, institutions play their role, always within the limits of available capabilities."
He stressed that "the government's performance is excellent, and the ministers are productive."
Regarding his ties with Hezbollah, Aoun said: "We did not choose to sever ties with anyone. Our offices are open to everyone without exception."
"There is an objection to a choice made by the state to shorten the period of occupation and the suffering of the people. Whoever has another option to achieve this goal should present it, and we will discuss it. The option of continued war is not an option," he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
On the inclusion of a ceasefire in Lebanon in the first clause of the American-Iranian Memorandum of Understanding and its impact on the framework agreement, he said: "We welcome any assistance that aligns with Lebanon's interests. America is the only one capable of exerting pressure on Israel or persuading it. And Iran is the only one capable of influencing Hezbollah and its decisions. Of course, while affirming that Lebanon is the one negotiating on all matters related to it."
Regarding Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's opposition to the framework agreement with Israel, Aoun said: "Speaker Berri is a statesman, and we share what are considered red lines, which are not compromising civil peace, the reputation and role of the army, and not resorting to street protests."
He also noted that his relationship with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is excellent.
Relationship Between Aoun and the Army Commander
Asked about the army's cohesion given Lebanon's circumstances and about rumors of renewed tensions between him and Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, the Lebanese president replied that "the army is cohesive and has not faltered. It is already implementing government decisions, naturally within the available capabilities."
"The army and all security institutions are doing everything they can. My relationship with General Haykal is excellent. There is no truth to the claims circulated by some media outlets."
Aoun also expressed his satisfaction with Arab support for Lebanon. He said: "Saudi Arabia, as always, has not hesitated to provide any assistance we request to support our efforts in restoring our rights and sovereignty."
"I would like to thank the Saudi leadership, especially Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for the decision to resume Lebanese exports. I also want to thank the Qatari government for assisting Lebanon, and the same applies to the United Arab Emirates, which allowed its citizens to visit Lebanon."
When asked if he was concerned about his safety, Aoun replied with a smile: "God is the guardian. No one dies before their time comes."
