Lebanon to confront any Israeli aggression: Aoun

By Wassim Seifeddine

BEIRUT (AA) – Lebanese President Michel Aoun vowed Tuesday to confront any Israeli aggression against the Arab country.

“Allegations by [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu are baseless,” Aoun said in a statement issued following his meeting with Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl in Beirut.

“[The allegations] conceal a new Israeli threat to the Lebanese sovereignty and our international airport,” he added.

Last week, Netanyahu -- addressing the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly – claimed that Lebanese group Hezbollah was using “hidden missile sites” near Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut.

The Lebanese president called on Austria and the international community “to be aware of Israel’s plans towards his country”.

Kneissl, for her part, underlined her country’s support for Lebanon’s independence and territorial integrity.

The top Austrian diplomat arrived in Beirut on Monday for a two-day visit during which she met with her counterpart Gebran Basil for talks on the repatriation of Syrian refugees.

In 2006, Israel launched a war against Hezbollah during which at least 1,200 people, mostly Lebanese civilians, were killed.