Michel Moawad, leader of the Independence Movement and member of the Renewal bloc, stressed on Friday “the priority of avoiding a slide towards an all-out war in Lebanon through the effective implementation of Resolution 1701 on both sides of the Lebanese-Israeli border.”
During a visit undertaken by US Ambassador Lisa Johnson to Baabda, Moawad indicated that this would involve “the exclusive deployment of the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL forces south of the Litani River, in preparation for border demarcation and the implementation of UN resolutions 1559 and 1680.”
He argued that this would make it possible to “re-establish the sovereignty of the state over all Lebanese territory and lay the foundations for lasting stability along the southern border,” stressing “the importance of forcing Israel to implement Security Council Resolution 1701.”
According to Moawad, the protection of Lebanon also lies in the restoration of state institutions through the election of a president of the Republic. In this respect, he praised the efforts of the Quintet (France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar) to resolve the issue of the presidential election in Lebanon.
In this context, the sovereignist deputy asserted that “the solution lies in pressing for the application of the Constitution and putting an end to the obstructionist approach.” He, therefore, called for “an open electoral session to be held in successive rounds until a president is elected.”
He also called for “intensified American and international pressure” to put an end to the war in Gaza and to “resume negotiations for a two-state solution, which is the key to a just and comprehensive peace in the region.”
