Meeting between President Aoun and Trump "under preparation"... What about Netanyahu?

An official source revealed to "Al-Diyar" that "work is underway to arrange a meeting between President of the Republic Joseph Aoun and US President Donald Trump," noting that this matter is "under preparation and diplomatic and political work," within the framework of ongoing contacts between Beirut and Washington regarding the file of negotiations and the Lebanese situation in general.

As for what is being said about the possibility of a meeting between President Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, the source was decisive in saying that "this matter is not on the table and will not happen," reiterating the affirmation that "any talk of such a meeting has no basis at the current stage."

The source explained that "the Lebanese priority today is to consolidate the ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Israeli army, the return of residents, and reconstruction, not to enter into any political or symbolic paths that are being inflated in the media."

But he pointed out at the same time that "if the negotiations end and a final agreement is reached, and if the nature of the agreement or international and regional circumstances require a certain matter, then everything becomes open to discussion within the interest of the Lebanese state and its official decision."

In the context of talking about how to implement any potential understanding on Lebanese soil, the source said that "if these negotiations succeed in achieving Lebanese demands, from the ceasefire to withdrawal, the return of residents, and reconstruction, then what is required is the cooperation of everyone within Lebanon to make the new phase a success," adding: "If Hezbollah cooperates, that is good, but if it does not cooperate, then it must bear responsibility before the entire Lebanese people," considering that any "party that obstructs a real opportunity to end the war and consolidate stability will bear responsibility for that before the Lebanese."

On the internal security front, the official source affirmed that "the Lebanese state is waging a serious confrontation against organized crime, and that security and safety remain stable in most Lebanese territories," considering that Lebanon "is still one of the most secure countries in the region, and even at the global level compared to surrounding circumstances," noting that "about 90 percent of crimes that occur, their perpetrators are uncovered and pursued."