Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday told a United Nations Security Council delegation his country does not want war with Israel, days after civilian representatives from both sides held their first talks in decades.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem, whose militant group refuses to disarm, on Friday backed Lebanon's pursuit of diplomacy but called the inclusion of a civilian representative in talks with Israel a "misstep".

During Aoun's meeting with UN Security Council ambassadors, the president said the Lebanese "do not want war again, the Lebanese people have suffered enough and there will be no going back", according to a presidency statement.

Aoun called on the envoys to support the Lebanese army's efforts to disarm non-state groups. The army expects to complete the first phase of its government-approved plan by the end of the year.

"The Lebanese army will play its full role... The international community must support and assist it," Aoun........

© Al Monitor