President Aoun on Syrian intervention in Lebanon: Speculations and media interpretations

President of the Republic Joseph Aoun said that relations between Lebanon and Turkey have the potential to move to advanced levels of cooperation, stressing that his country counts on Ankara to contribute to economic recovery, support the implementation of the "Framework Formula" agreement, and enhance stability in southern Lebanon.

Aoun explained, in an interview with Anadolu Agency ahead of his first official visit to Turkey on Thursday since assuming the presidency, that "Turkey occupies a pivotal position in the current regional landscape, and coordination with it is a strategic necessity, not a circumstantial option."

Framework Agreement

Aoun considered that Turkey's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization "NATO" and its broad regional relations qualify it to play a supportive role in the international promotion of the "Framework Formula" and encourage the concerned parties to fully commit to its provisions.

He said, "Turkey can contribute to the success of this path, especially since the framework that resulted from the rounds of negotiations in Washington and Rome requires broad regional and international follow-up to ensure its implementation on the ground."

Aoun added: "We are committed to implementing what we signed in Washington, but the success of this agreement is contingent on clear guarantees, most notably a complete Israeli withdrawal concurrent with the deployment of the Lebanese army, a permanent cessation of violations and attacks that still affect the south, and an effective international mechanism to verify the commitment of both parties, so that Lebanese obligations do not become a unilateral step in the absence of an Israeli counterpart."

He continued: "We call on Turkey, by virtue of its regional weight and multiple relations, to support this path politically and diplomatically, to enhance its chances of success and prevent it from becoming an incompletely implemented agreement, and to contribute to supporting Lebanon's endeavors to achieve Israeli withdrawal and strengthen international efforts aimed at preventing any security vacuum in the south, in line with our keenness on the stability of this sensitive region."

Regarding the role Turkey can play in supporting Lebanon's sovereignty and stability, Aoun said, "Ankara, as an active regional state, possesses real influence tools, and can contribute to supporting the Lebanese state and its legitimate institutions, foremost among them the army, in a way that enhances the state's authority over the entire territory."

He added that "Turkey can also employ its relations to help control the eastern and northern borders and prevent any arms smuggling or infiltration that threatens Lebanese security."

Aoun continued: "We are not asking Turkey to play a role alternative to the Lebanese state, but rather a supportive and complementary role, consistent with our pursuit to monopolize weapons in the hands of the state and establish stability after years of war."

He pointed to his country's aspiration to strengthen cooperation with Turkey in supporting Lebanese state institutions, especially the army, and opening new horizons for cooperation in files related to border stability and combating illicit arms transfer.

Aoun said that Lebanese-Turkish relations have the potential to move to advanced levels of cooperation, noting the importance of the Turkish role in the upcoming period at the political, economic, and security levels.

He added: "From this standpoint, we look forward to concrete steps that include strengthening coordination between the two friendly countries, supporting Lebanese state institutions, especially the army, along with opening new horizons for cooperation in files related to border stability and combating illicit arms transfer."

Economic Recovery

In another context, Aoun indicated that Lebanon relies on Turkey's ability to contribute to the path of economic recovery through investment, trade, and reconstruction.

He said this can be achieved through "encouraging Turkish companies to pump direct investments into Lebanese productive sectors, activating existing trade agreements, removing logistical obstacles to the exchange of goods, thereby easing the burden on the struggling Lebanese economy, and benefiting from Turkey's extensive experience in the field of reconstruction."

Support for the Lebanese Army

Regarding military cooperation between the two countries, President Aoun said the Lebanese army needs multifaceted support to enhance its deployment and the state's authority, noting that his country will discuss with Turkey expanding existing military support and training programs.

He said, "The Lebanese army is facing an existential challenge in extending state authority over all its territories, and this requires multifaceted support: modern equipment and gear, specialized training, and logistical support enabling it to effectively deploy in sensitive areas, especially in the south, where its deployment is supposed to coincide with a complete and simultaneous Israeli withdrawal."

Aoun added: "We will discuss with the Turkish side the possibility of expanding existing military support and training programs, especially since Ankara has on previous occasions expressed its readiness to contribute to enhancing the capabilities of our military institution. But at the same time, we affirm that any Turkish support comes in addition to existing American and international support, not as a substitute for it."

The international force in the south

Regarding the possibility of Turkey participating in an international force that might replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon "UNIFIL" in the south of the country, Aoun said, "This file is still under discussion, and there are multiple proposals, including one talking about a European force under French-Italian leadership, and another proposing Turkish participation with NATO support, along with other suggestions including Arab and Islamic countries."

He added: "For us, the priority is to ensure that no security vacuum occurs after the end of UNIFIL's mandate, and any proposal to form an alternative force, including potential Turkish participation, will be viewed from one angle: its ability to support the Lebanese army in extending its authority and ensuring stability in the south."

Aoun continued: "We are not in the process of excluding any serious partner in this path, but the final decision remains linked to broader international consensus and to serving Lebanese sovereignty first."

He noted that "Turkey contributed, through the UNIFIL maritime task force, to the peacekeeping process in the south, and this participation was effective in controlling maritime traffic towards Lebanon over the past years, in coordination with the Lebanese Army Navy."

Hezbollah's Position

Regarding the extent of the impact of "Hezbollah's" rejection of any negotiating path with Israel on the Lebanese state's efforts to complete the implementation of ceasefire understandings and address outstanding issues, Aoun said: "The magnitude of this challenge cannot be underestimated. Any negotiating or implementation path needs a minimum of internal consensus to actually succeed on the ground."

He added: "The Lebanese state, represented by the Presidency of the Republic and the government, is the only authority constitutionally authorized to make decisions related to sovereignty, security, and relations with foreign parties, and this is what we constantly insist on."

Aoun continued: "On the other hand, we realize that the success of implementing ceasefire understandings and addressing outstanding issues, foremost among them the monopolization of weapons by the state, requires a cumulative approach and continuous internal dialogue, away from confrontation, so that everyone is convinced that Lebanon's supreme interest lies in a strong state with its legitimate institutions alone, not in remaining divided over decisions of war and peace."

Lebanese-Syrian Relations

Regarding what is being circulated about a Syrian role or mediation in the file of monopolizing arms by the Lebanese state, despite Damascus's repeated denial, Aoun affirmed that the decision is a Lebanese sovereign one and is not subject to any external mediation.

He said, "The decision to monopolize arms by the Lebanese state is a purely Lebanese sovereign decision, taken through internal dialogue under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic and legitimate state institutions, and there is no room for any external mediation or intervention in it, Syrian or otherwise."

Aoun added: "The Syrian side itself has previously affirmed repeatedly, at the highest levels, its intention not to intervene militarily in Lebanese affairs, and that its support is limited to backing the principle of monopolizing weapons and the decision of war and peace by the Lebanese state, a position we welcome and which is consistent with our vision of the sovereignty of the Lebanese decision."

He noted that he affirmed, during his meetings with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara, his keenness that coordination between the two countries be at the level of the two political leaderships, based on respect for each other's sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

Aoun continued: "As for what is being raised of statements or speculations about a broader Syrian role, they are media interpretations that do not reflect any negotiating reality or official position, and we are always keen to correct any confusion that may arise regarding this sensitive file."