NNA – A joint Lebanese-Palestinian statement was issued on Wednesday following talks between the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, and the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, at Baabda Palace. The statement said:
"In response to the official invitation by the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Joseph Aoun, the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, paid an official visit to the Lebanese Republic, where the two sides held a session of official talks on the bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments.
After the meeting, the two presidents issued the following joint statement:
First: On the political level
- The two sides affirm the fraternal relations between the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples and their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination at various levels.
2. Both sides reaffirm the need to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region enabling the Palestinian people to establish their independent state, in accordance with relevant international legitimacy resolutions. This also grants all countries and peoples in the region their legitimate and just rights.
- The two sides condemn the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in heavy human losses and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. They call on the international community to take immediate and serious action to halt it and ensure full protection of Palestinian civilians.
- The two sides emphasize the need to reinforce the role of the United Nations and its institutions in providing protection to the Palestinian people, ensuring respect for international law, and implementing international legitimacy resolutions.
- Both sides condemn the repeated Israeli aggressions on Lebanon and call on the international community, particularly the United States and France, to pressure Israel to implement the agreement reached under the auspices of the two countries in November 2024, regarding the cessation of hostilities, withdrawal from the hills occupied by Israel, and the return of Lebanese prisoners, in order to enable the Lebanese Army to complete its deployment to the internationally recognized borders, in implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, whose provisions Lebanon has pledged to fully respect.
Second: Regarding the situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon:
- Both parties reaffirm their commitment to a just solution for Palestinian refugees, enabling them to their return to their homeland, in accordance with UN Resolution 194, and their rejection of all plans for resettlement and displacement.
- Both sides emphasize the importance of continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the continuation of its services to Palestinian refugees, while working to increase its financial resources to enable it to fulfill its obligations.
- The two sides agreed to form a joint Lebanese-Palestinian committee to follow up on the situation in Palestinian camps in Lebanon and work to improve the living conditions of refugees, while respecting Lebanese sovereignty and Lebanese laws.
- Both sides affirm their commitment to securing the necessary conditions to guarantee a dignified life for Palestinian refugee brothers in Lebanon, without undermining their right of return or affecting their national identity.
Third: In the field of security and stability
- Both sides affirm their commitment to the principle of the exclusive possession of weapons by the Lebanese state and ending any manifestations outside the logic of the Lebanese state. They also emphasize the importance of respecting Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. They voiced their belief that the era of weapons outside the authority of the Lebanese state is over, especially since the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples have paid a heavy price for decades, with huge losses and significant sacrifices.
- Both sides emphasize the importance of strengthening coordination between official Lebanese and Palestinian authorities to ensure stability within and around the Palestinian camps.
- The Palestinian side affirms its commitment not to use Lebanese territory as a launching pad for any military operations, while respecting Lebanon's declared policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries and staying away from regional conflicts.
- Both sides agree to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism, and to ensure that Palestinian camps do not become safe havens for extremist groups.
In conclusion, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his thanks and appreciation to Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun for the warm welcome and hospitality, affirming the depth of fraternal relations between the two brotherly peoples and reiterating the State of Palestine's commitment to supporting Lebanon's security, stability, and sovereignty over all its territory.
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