Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has signaled a significant shift in regional policy, expressing his desire for a formal security arrangement with Israel as a necessary step toward long-term peace. In an exclusive interview, Aoun emphasized that while a direct peace treaty may be premature, establishing a security framework is vital to ending active hostilities and stabilizing the border. Central to this strategy is the government’s firm commitment to disarming Hezbollah, a move Aoun insists is non-negotiable. However, he stressed that the administration aims to achieve this objective through diplomatic channels rather than military confrontation, explicitly seeking to avoid the risks of a new civil war.

To support this transition, Aoun is rallying international backing for the Lebanese military, particularly as the mandate for UN peacekeeping forces in the south approaches its end. During an upcoming summit in France, he plans to urge the U.S., the EU, and Arab nations to bolster the Lebanese army, ensuring it has the capacity to secure the country and prevent a power vacuum. While Aoun maintains that extending the current UNIFIL mandate remains the most effective option, he is open to a diverse range of international coalitions to fill the gap. Ultimately, the President is calling for a future defined by regional stability and non-interference, challenging future Israeli leadership to choose between continued conflict or a peaceful, secure border.