Lebanon and Palestine Commit to Non-Aggression Pact Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Lebanese President Aoun and Palestinian President Abbas reaffirm commitment to sovereignty and disarmament during Abbas's three-day visit to Lebanon.
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have jointly declared that Palestinian factions will not utilize Lebanon as a base for military operations against Israel.
This agreement emerged at the beginning of Abbas's three-day visit to Lebanon, highlighting the ongoing complexities of regional dynamics and the status of Palestinian refugees.
Both leaders emphasized the need to disarm armed groups not under the Lebanese state’s governance, reinforcing a commitment to denounce any activities outside the jurisdiction of Lebanese authority.
In their joint statement, they stressed the importance of respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity while recognizing the heavy toll both Lebanese and Palestinian peoples have endured over decades of conflict.
The announcement comes amid ongoing hostilities in the region, specifically citing the 'Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip' that has led to severe humanitarian repercussions.
They called upon the international community to take decisive action to protect Palestinian civilians and to facilitate a just and lasting peace that recognizes the rights of Palestinian statehood under international law.
President Abbas's arrival was marked by a swift engagement with President Aoun at the presidential headquarters, where discussions focused on the distribution and regulation of Palestinian arms within refugee camps in Lebanon.
A key aspect of the talks was the need to extend full Lebanese state control over these camps, which house a significant Palestinian population that has faced socioeconomic challenges for decades.
The two leaders condemned Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and urged the international community, particularly the United States and France, to exert pressure on Israel to adhere to a prior agreement aimed at ceasing hostilities and withdrawing from occupied territories.
They reiterated Lebanon's commitment to United Nations Resolution 1701, which calls for the cessation of hostilities and the deployment of the Lebanese army to recognized borders.
Additionally, Aoun and Abbas expressed the need for enhanced coordination between Lebanese and Palestinian authorities to maintain stability, particularly concerning the Palestinian camps, and to combat terrorism effectively.
They acknowledged the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and underscored the requirement for increased financial support to sustain its services to refugees.
Abbas's visit includes a schedule of engagements with other senior Lebanese officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as representatives from various Palestinian factions active within the refugee camps.
This meeting is not the first of its kind; discussions regarding the disarmament of Palestinian factions in Lebanon have previously surfaced, notably during the 2006 Doha Agreement and subsequent Lebanese National Dialogue in 2008. Although these initiatives have repeatedly aimed to regulate the presence and activities of armed groups, enforcement has proven challenging, resulting in sporadic violence.
Conflict has intermittently erupted within Ain Al-Helweh, Lebanon's largest Palestinian camp, notably in 2013 and again in 2023, with the Lebanese army intervening to stabilize order amidst clashes among various factions.
As of a 2017 census, approximately 174,422 Palestinian refugees resided in camps and various locations across Lebanon.
The ongoing arms crisis within the Palestinian camps has remained a contentious issue since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in November last year, with incidents of rocket fire reported from southern Lebanon.
During this visit, Abbas has reiterated the Palestinian perspective as temporary guests in Lebanon, insisting on adherence to Lebanese laws and respect for local sovereignty.
The Palestinian leadership aims to address the living conditions and rights of refugees within Lebanon in an effort to seek legislative reforms to improve their status.
The joint efforts manifest a broader desire for stability amid volatile regional relations, with both Lebanese and Palestinian authorities seeking to navigate their intertwined histories and current socio-political challenges.
This agreement emerged at the beginning of Abbas's three-day visit to Lebanon, highlighting the ongoing complexities of regional dynamics and the status of Palestinian refugees.
Both leaders emphasized the need to disarm armed groups not under the Lebanese state’s governance, reinforcing a commitment to denounce any activities outside the jurisdiction of Lebanese authority.
In their joint statement, they stressed the importance of respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity while recognizing the heavy toll both Lebanese and Palestinian peoples have endured over decades of conflict.
The announcement comes amid ongoing hostilities in the region, specifically citing the 'Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip' that has led to severe humanitarian repercussions.
They called upon the international community to take decisive action to protect Palestinian civilians and to facilitate a just and lasting peace that recognizes the rights of Palestinian statehood under international law.
President Abbas's arrival was marked by a swift engagement with President Aoun at the presidential headquarters, where discussions focused on the distribution and regulation of Palestinian arms within refugee camps in Lebanon.
A key aspect of the talks was the need to extend full Lebanese state control over these camps, which house a significant Palestinian population that has faced socioeconomic challenges for decades.
The two leaders condemned Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and urged the international community, particularly the United States and France, to exert pressure on Israel to adhere to a prior agreement aimed at ceasing hostilities and withdrawing from occupied territories.
They reiterated Lebanon's commitment to United Nations Resolution 1701, which calls for the cessation of hostilities and the deployment of the Lebanese army to recognized borders.
Additionally, Aoun and Abbas expressed the need for enhanced coordination between Lebanese and Palestinian authorities to maintain stability, particularly concerning the Palestinian camps, and to combat terrorism effectively.
They acknowledged the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and underscored the requirement for increased financial support to sustain its services to refugees.
Abbas's visit includes a schedule of engagements with other senior Lebanese officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as representatives from various Palestinian factions active within the refugee camps.
This meeting is not the first of its kind; discussions regarding the disarmament of Palestinian factions in Lebanon have previously surfaced, notably during the 2006 Doha Agreement and subsequent Lebanese National Dialogue in 2008. Although these initiatives have repeatedly aimed to regulate the presence and activities of armed groups, enforcement has proven challenging, resulting in sporadic violence.
Conflict has intermittently erupted within Ain Al-Helweh, Lebanon's largest Palestinian camp, notably in 2013 and again in 2023, with the Lebanese army intervening to stabilize order amidst clashes among various factions.
As of a 2017 census, approximately 174,422 Palestinian refugees resided in camps and various locations across Lebanon.
The ongoing arms crisis within the Palestinian camps has remained a contentious issue since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in November last year, with incidents of rocket fire reported from southern Lebanon.
During this visit, Abbas has reiterated the Palestinian perspective as temporary guests in Lebanon, insisting on adherence to Lebanese laws and respect for local sovereignty.
The Palestinian leadership aims to address the living conditions and rights of refugees within Lebanon in an effort to seek legislative reforms to improve their status.
The joint efforts manifest a broader desire for stability amid volatile regional relations, with both Lebanese and Palestinian authorities seeking to navigate their intertwined histories and current socio-political challenges.
