Beirut: Lebanon's president Joseph Aoun underscored Beirut's dedication to implementing national reforms and fully enforcing UN resolution 1701, which mandates a ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, according to his office on Monday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Lebanese president expressed these commitments during discussions with Edward Gabriel, the US Task Force on Lebanon chief. He highlighted that both reforms and disarmament are demands from the Lebanese people and the international community. President Aoun emphasized the nation's commitment to these objectives.
In his efforts to initiate national reforms, President Aoun pointed to the recent signing of a "banking secrecy law" and a drafted law aimed at restructuring the banking sector as examples of progress. He also stressed the importance of implementing UN resolution 1701 as part of Lebanon's reform agenda.
President Aoun further reiterated the significance of "resorting to dialogue," stating that Lebanon should not be home to weapons or armed groups outside the state's framework.
During his visit to Beirut, the US official Edward Gabriel conveyed a message from Washington, emphasizing the necessity to "disarm Hezbollah and implement the necessary reforms" for Lebanon to qualify for financial aid, he added.