by Naharnet Newsdesk & The dailystar

After a four-day trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar,
President Michel Aoun and the accompanying delegation of ministers
returned back to Lebanon on Thursday. On his return, Aoun stressed that ties with the “Gulf
countries particularly with Saudi Arabia are back to normal,” adding
that the misunderstanding is over now and a “new leaf of relations has
been turned. The Lebanese will witness an increase in the influx of Gulf
tourists to Lebanon.”

President Michel Aoun rejected Thursday the use of arms by any group
locally, saying that some Lebanese factions’ decision to participate in
the conflict in Syria was not related to the state. Aoun’s statements
were made in an interview with the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV to be
broadcast on Thursday. The president expressed support to the
“resistance” and not “terrorism,” saying he was against “any arms used
locally.” Aoun didn’t refer to Hezbollah in his remarks but the issue
has been a matter of contention between Lebanese factions. Rival
political leaders have accused Hezbollah of using its weapons internally
against Lebanese citizens and as a tool of political pressure.

The President hailed the Lebanese community in the Gulf
and said: “During our trip we have sensed a huge respect and
appreciation for the Lebanese who have helped, and still do, with the
developmental renaissance in Gulf countries.” On the topics discussed with Gulf officials, he said:
“All subjects of common interest raised during the tour, have received a
positive response and clear support. The agreements will be followed up
in mutual visits.”

The President concluded pinning hopes that Lebanon
witnesses quick improvement, he said: “We are all hopes that Lebanon
takes quick steps forward and gradually restores its position at the
Arab, regional and international levels.” During his trip, Aoun held talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha. The trip was assessed as promising in terms of improving Lebanese-Gulf ties mainly with Saudi Arabia. Ties with Riyadh were tense last year after SA halted a
$3 billion military aid program for the Lebanese army over what it said
was the dominance of Hizbullah movement. Lebanon

The Daily Star

BEIRUT: President Michel Aoun rejected Thursday the use of arms by any group locally, saying that some Lebanese factions’ decision to participate in the conflict in Syria was not related to the state. Aoun’s statements were made in an interview with the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV to be broadcast on Thursday. The president expressed support to the “resistance” and not “terrorism,” saying he was against “any arms used locally.” Aoun didn’t refer to Hezbollah in his remarks but the issue has been a matter of contention between Lebanese factions. Rival political leaders have accused Hezbollah of using its weapons internally against Lebanese citizens and as a tool of political pressure.

However, Hezbollah and its allies say that the “people, army, and resistance” formula is the only way to defend the country. Hezbollah publically admitted in 2013 that it was fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces. It is one of the major forces on the ground in the Syria war, playing a significant role in Damascus and Aleppo. The party’s rivals have criticized Hezbollah’s deep involvement in the war in Syria, with Arab League declaring Hezbollah a “terrorist organization” earlier in 2016.

The 1989 Taif Accord ended Lebanon’s Civil War provided for the disarmament of all Lebanese militias. Aoun said in his interview that the “weapons issue was a big part of the Middle East conflict that… was bigger than the Lebanese state to handle.” He urged “friendly” countries to increase the combat capabilities of the Lebanese Army, in effort to fend off terror threats.

– Syria Conflict –

Aoun said that the Lebanese government was decisive in its decision to prevent extremists from entering Lebanon or heading to Syria. “The decision by some Lebanese groups to take part in the Syrian conflict wasn’t the state’s decision.” He said that the post of president “compels me not to take part in any conflict, because [the president] represents all Lebanese.”

– Saudi aid grants –

Aoun told Qatar-based satellite news broadcaster Al-Jazeera in an interview set to be aired on Thursday that “the Saudi grant to the Lebanese Army hasn’t been resolved yet.” The president also expressed reservations about Iranian aid to the Lebanese Army “in the meantime.”

Lebanon’s relations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab Gulf countries deteriorated in February last year when Riyadh halted a $3 billion grant to buy arms from France for the Lebanese Army, in addition to another $1 billion grant to strengthen the military and security forces.
 The move was in protest at perceived hostile stances against the kingdom linked to Hezbollah and Iran at Arab League and Islamic meetings. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states also warned their citizens against traveling to Lebanon in what appeared to be a punitive measure over the Lebanese government’s perceived pro-Hezbollah policies.

– Ties to flourish –

On the plane en route to Beirut, Aoun expressed relief to reporters over his meetings in the two Gulf countries. “The direct and indirect results [of the tour] will soon appear and they will be in favor of the countries and their people,” he added. Aoun arrived in Beirut Thursday following a tour that took him to Saudi Arabia Monday and Qatar Wednesday.

A statement issued by Aoun’s press office said that the president had sent a message to Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani thanking him for his hospitality.
 “Talks [held in Doha] affirmed the [deep] ties between the two brotherly countries, which will [God willing] improve and progress