| President Aoun Meets UN Secretary-General Guterres in New York |
** Guterres affirmed that the international community appreciates President Aoun's commitment to securing a stable and peaceful future for Lebanon. Guterres also spoke about developments in Syria and his determination to support the return of displaced Syrians to their homes.
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President Aoun Meets UN Secretary-General Guterres in New York
23 September 2025
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney- Middle East Times Int’l: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York. The meeting was held at the Secretary-General's office on the 27th floor of the UN building. It was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raji, Lebanon’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ahmad Arafa, advisors Brigadier General Andre Rahal and John Aziz, and Presidency Director of Information Rafik Shalala.
At the beginning of the meeting, Secretary-General Guterres welcomed President Aoun and reaffirmed the UN’s strong support for the Lebanese Army. He praised the government’s efforts to consolidate security, restrict weapons to the armed forces, and overcome the challenges Lebanon faces. Guterres stressed that the international community recognizes President Aoun’s commitment to securing a stable and peaceful future for Lebanon.
Turning to regional issues, Guterres spoke about developments in Syria and his determination to support displaced Syrians returning to their homes. He also discussed the extension of the mandate of UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon for one year, noting that their future withdrawal would be coordinated with the Lebanese Army to ensure continued stability.
President Aoun thanked the Secretary-General for his “interest in Lebanon, his commitment to assisting it on all occasions, and his efforts to renew the UNIFIL mandate in the south.” He emphasized the importance of UNIFIL’s continued presence, in coordination with the Lebanese Army, until the army is fully deployed across Lebanese territory following Israel’s withdrawal from occupied lands.
Aoun briefed Guterres on government reforms, the policy of restricting weapons to the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the Israeli violations in southern Lebanon, including the Bint Jbeil massacre, which killed a father and three children. He condemned Israel’s actions as violations of the November 27, 2024 Declaration and UN Resolution 1701.
The President warned that Israel’s hostile practices threaten to delay army deployment, reconstruction, and reform, despite the government’s progress. He reiterated Lebanon’s determination to preserve sovereignty and security through its legitimate armed forces, stressing that Israel must withdraw from occupied positions and halt its attacks.
President Aoun also noted Lebanon’s improved relations with Syria, highlighting ongoing coordination on security and border control to combat smuggling. He concluded by affirming that “the Lebanese people are weary of war and aspire to live in peace.”
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