Lebanese President Accuses Hezbollah of Treason over War with Israel
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun calls those who draw the country into war 'traitors,' while rejecting direct negotiations with Israel.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun responded to the ongoing tensions between Lebanon and Israel by criticizing those who he believes are dragging the country into conflict.
In a statement released on Monday, Aoun emphasized that his ultimate goal is to bring an end to the state of war between Lebanon and Israel, similar to the 1949 armistice agreement.
He stressed that he would not accept any 'humiliating' agreements.
Aoun directly accused Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group, of treason by drawing Lebanon into conflict with Israel for what he believes are foreign interests.
He questioned the lack of national consensus during times of war, stating that no such consensus was necessary when decisions to go to war were made in the past.
This statement appears to be an indirect rebuke to Hezbollah and its position on negotiations.
In recent weeks, there have been two meetings held between Lebanon and Israel's ambassadors in Washington, marking the first such encounters in decades.
These discussions led to a truce in the Israel-Hezbollah war, and Beirut has been preparing for direct negotiations with the aim of striking a peace deal with Israel.
The two countries have officially been at war since 1948.
In response to Aoun's accusations, Hezbollah's leader Naim Qassem stated that they categorically reject direct negotiations with Israel.
He called on the authorities to 'back down from their grave sin' and warned against putting Lebanon in a spiral of instability.
Qassem also emphasized that the Lebanese government cannot continue while neglecting the country's rights, giving up land, and confronting its resistant people.
The conflict between Lebanon and Israel has escalated in recent days, with Israeli strikes killing at least 36 people since the ceasefire on April 17th.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that Sunday marked the deadliest day of this recent conflict, with 14 deaths resulting from Israeli strikes.
Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for several attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, as well as missile and drone launches targeting northern Israel.
This ongoing conflict highlights the complex and sensitive nature of the relationship between Lebanon and Israel, with both sides accusing each other of aggression and treachery.
In a statement released on Monday, Aoun emphasized that his ultimate goal is to bring an end to the state of war between Lebanon and Israel, similar to the 1949 armistice agreement.
He stressed that he would not accept any 'humiliating' agreements.
Aoun directly accused Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group, of treason by drawing Lebanon into conflict with Israel for what he believes are foreign interests.
He questioned the lack of national consensus during times of war, stating that no such consensus was necessary when decisions to go to war were made in the past.
This statement appears to be an indirect rebuke to Hezbollah and its position on negotiations.
In recent weeks, there have been two meetings held between Lebanon and Israel's ambassadors in Washington, marking the first such encounters in decades.
These discussions led to a truce in the Israel-Hezbollah war, and Beirut has been preparing for direct negotiations with the aim of striking a peace deal with Israel.
The two countries have officially been at war since 1948.
In response to Aoun's accusations, Hezbollah's leader Naim Qassem stated that they categorically reject direct negotiations with Israel.
He called on the authorities to 'back down from their grave sin' and warned against putting Lebanon in a spiral of instability.
Qassem also emphasized that the Lebanese government cannot continue while neglecting the country's rights, giving up land, and confronting its resistant people.
The conflict between Lebanon and Israel has escalated in recent days, with Israeli strikes killing at least 36 people since the ceasefire on April 17th.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that Sunday marked the deadliest day of this recent conflict, with 14 deaths resulting from Israeli strikes.
Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for several attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, as well as missile and drone launches targeting northern Israel.
This ongoing conflict highlights the complex and sensitive nature of the relationship between Lebanon and Israel, with both sides accusing each other of aggression and treachery.
