Lebanese President Joseph Aoun slammed Hezbollahand Iran in an interview with CNN on Friday, saying that his country's people "are not [Hezbollah leader] Naim Qassem’s people." Aoun told CNN's Christiane Amanpour that he spoke to a diverse number of Lebanese civilians, who have told him that they are "fed up" with the war between Hezbollah and Israel. “They deserve not seeing their homes destroyed every five to ten years," Aoun said, describing the war as "futile."
Regarding Iran, Aoun accused the Islamic Republic of using Lebanon "for the sake of your [Iran's] own interest." “You are not trying to help us," said Aoun. "The people of Lebanon are paying the price." He then criticized statements by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) connecting Lebanon to a potential US-Iran ceasefire, saying the regime is "using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiation." “It’s unacceptable,” he said. “It’s not your country, it’s our country.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam concurred with Aoun's assessment of Iran, further accusing the Islamic regime of bringing "destruction and ruin" to Lebanon.On Friday, Salam spoke of Iran's rejection of the recent ceasefire framework, calling it "proof that this is not our war, but one that is being waged on our land and at the expense of our residents." President Aoun also discussed Israel with CNN, emphasizing that he believed that only negotiations would bring safety and security to the region. He directed a question to the Israeli people, asking them if they truly want to live in "perpetual war."
“We are ready, we are willing, we are committed [to negotiations],” he said. "If you [Israel] are not, you will never live in peace, safety, and security.” Aoun claimed that both Lebanese citizens and Israelis are "fed up with war," and added that the negotiations are a "huge opportunity" for both countries. (Ed note: It sounds as if President Aoun may be waking up a little bit, BUT, what is this "we are willing bit?" Lebanon has laws on their books that state they can not even talk to a Jew. Trump couldn't believe it, but it's true.) (Read More)
