The Free Patriotic Movement issued the following statement:The Free Patriotic Movement has closely followed the outcome of the meeting between President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.While the Movement hopes that this meeting will mark a key milestone in reaffirming Lebanon’s position as a fully sovereign state capable of shaping its own future, it stresses the following:First, the beginning of the Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the occupied southern villages constitute a practical test of the credibility of the guarantees provided. The implementation of the withdrawal must be accelerated throughout the whole of southern Lebanon, without fragmentation, and in parallel with the return of residents, in order to refute Israeli claims that the framework agreement provides justification for the continued presence of Israeli forces in the South.Second, restricting the possession of weapons exclusively to the Lebanese state is an essential prerequisite for restoring full sovereignty, irrespective of the imperative of a complete Israeli withdrawal. The proper equation is: one state, full sovereignty, one army, and one legitimate authority.Third, supporting the Lebanese Army is essential to enable it to fulfill its national and sovereign responsibilities. The government must place this priority at the top of its agenda.Fourth, Lebanon’s stability must be built from within through serious political and economic reforms that accompany any external openness something the Lebanese people have yet to witness.Fifth, the positive statements made during the meeting regarding bilateral relations must be translated into concrete measures, foremost among them the liberation of Lebanon’s natural resources on land and at sea. The Movement also welcomes the U.S. President’s decision to restore direct flights between the United States and Lebanon.The Free Patriotic Movement reaffirms its commitment to supporting the state's sovereign path and considers the success of this approach to be an essential gateway to freeing Lebanon from the cycle of proxy wars and foreign occupations, while securing a future worthy of the sacrifices of its people.
