Lebanon wants Israel security deal, Hezbollah disarmament without confrontation: president to AFP

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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed his desire to establish a security deal with Israel once Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon. He also emphasized his determination to disarm Hezbollah without confrontation and supports the deployment of a new European or other international force to prevent a security vacuum after the UN peacekeepers' mandate ends.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told AFP in an exclusive interview he wants to reach a security agreement with Israel once it withdraws from the south, and is determined to disarm Hezbollah without resorting to confrontation. Speaking ahead of his departure to France on Wednesday, President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon wanted a new force, European or otherwise, to prevent a security vacuum after UN peacekeepers leave south Lebanon when their mandate expires at the end of the year.