A delegation from the US Congress, led by Senator Ronny Jackson, met on Saturday with the President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, in the presence of the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson.
At the end of the meeting, Jackson expressed the United States’ desire to see a new phase of peace and stability in Lebanon and the Middle East. He also stressed that security in Lebanon, particularly at the borders, should be "exclusively and entirely in the hands of the army." "We refuse to let Hezbollah play this role," he added.
For his part, Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s "firm and definitive" stance on the situation in South Lebanon, reiterating the necessity of an Israeli withdrawal and the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.
"Israel is violating the ceasefire agreement, and the guarantor countries, particularly the United States, should exert pressure to ensure full compliance," he stated.
Finally, regarding the funerals of Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine to be held on Sunday, Jackson stated that it "is preferable to let this event pass and move forward.” “This occasion should be an opportunity to close a chapter and write a new one," he added.
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