LEBANON – While speaking to an Arab delegation in Beirut, Lebanese president Joseph Aoun stated that while the country’s monopoly on arms control is non-negotiable, normalization with Israel is off the table.

“The decision to concentrate arms in the hands of the state has been made and there is no going back on it. The decision on war and peace rests solely with the Council of Ministers,” he said.

He also underscored that normalization with Israel is “not currently part of Lebanon’s foreign policy,” according to a statement released by the Lebanese presidency.

Regarding regional relations, Aoun expressed Lebanon’s desire to maintain “good relations with Syria,” while emphasizing “non-interference in the internal affairs of either country.”