BEIRUT, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told a visiting UN Security Council delegation on Friday that international support is essential for his country to secure its borders and maintain stability.
During their meeting, Aoun said Lebanon considers cooperation with international partners vital to safeguarding the country's south, particularly in light of ongoing tensions with Israel.
The UN delegation's visit came as Lebanese and Israeli representatives held their first direct talks in decades earlier this week.
Aoun told the delegation that Lebanon has adopted negotiations as its strategic approach, noting that the talks aim to stop Israeli hostilities, secure the release of detainees, arrange Israel's withdrawal from occupied areas, and clarify disputed points along the Blue Line.
"The path of dialogue is final and serves Lebanon's national interest," he said, adding that the outcome depends largely on Israel's posture.
According to the president, Lebanon welcomes the continued stationing of foreign forces in southern Lebanon after the UN peacekeeping mandate concludes in 2027.
"Lebanon is open to any country willing to keep part of its forces in the south to assist the army once the UN Interim Force in Lebanon's mission concludes," he added.
A ceasefire agreement between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, largely ending their clashes that erupted after the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip.
Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, saying they are aimed at removing Hezbollah "threats," and it has maintained forces at five main points in the Lebanese border area. ■
