Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, who has promised to disarm Hezbollah, expressed optimism Thursday that diplomatic efforts will prevent Israel from embarking on another major military operation in Lebanon.

“Diplomatic contacts to push back the specter of war have not stopped,” Aoun said. “I tell you that the specter of war has been pushed away from Lebanon, and matters will head in a positive direction, God willing.”

Last week, Israeli and Lebanese officials met directly in the southern Lebanon town of Naqoura, the second such meeting this month, as the two enemy states look to maintain the year-old ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war while Israel is reportedly preparing for renewed conflict if Beirut is unable to disarm the Shiite armed group.

On Wednesday, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji demanded that Hezbollah’s entire military system be dismantled and disarmed, in comments that were explicitly critical........

© The Times of Israel