BEIRUT, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy on Monday pledged to mobilize Arab and international support for the country in a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, said a statement released by the Lebanese presidency.
During a meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda, Fahmy reaffirmed the league's full support for the Lebanese state, its institutions and sovereignty, pledging to mobilize political, economic and social assistance. He said he would visit southern Lebanon on Tuesday to assess the situation and was ready to contact Arab and Western countries to secure further support.
Aoun reaffirmed his commitment to a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Israel, warning that war would exact a far heavier price on Lebanon.
"It is time for Lebanon to find respite," Aoun said, stressing that the Lebanese people, particularly residents of the south, were paying the price of the devastating conflict.
Aoun said Israel had failed to abide by the framework agreement and that southern Lebanon remained exposed to daily violations, hindering the state's efforts to restore stability.
The meeting came amid continued tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border despite the framework agreement signed in June. Israel says its operations are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah threats. ■
