President General Joseph Aoun stressed during his reception of a delegation of Beirut MPs that direct negotiations are delicate and pivotal and national responsibility must be singular in the coming phase, and the world's eyes are turned toward Lebanon. He emphasized that the Lebanese state's goal from the negotiations is to solidify the ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied southern territories, the recovery of prisoners, and the resolution of ongoing disputes between Lebanon and Israel over a number of border points. President Aoun informed the parliamentary delegation that approaching the post-ceasefire phase requires unity in national positions and inclusive political solidarity with the state so that the ability of the Lebanese side to achieve what the negotiations aimed for is not weakened, particularly regarding cementing the ceasefire, which is considered the gateway to proceeding with negotiations. This is an option that enjoys local and external support, among whose most prominent manifestations was what US President Donald Trump announced during yesterday's phone call regarding support for Lebanon, its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, in addition to the United States standing alongside the Lebanese people to end their suffering, restore their well-being, and reactivate their economy, which was negatively affected as a result of the recent war. President Aoun affirmed that the Lebanese Army will play a fundamental role after the withdrawal of Israeli forces in terms of deployment up to the international southern border, ending armed manifestations, and reassuring southerners upon their return to their villages and towns that there are no armed forces other than the army and legitimate security forces. President Aoun stressed that the Lebanese, who have endured a lot in past years, are today before a new reality backed by Arab and international support, and we must not squander this opportunity because it may not be repeated. The Beirut parliamentary delegation, which consisted of MPs Ghassan Hasbani, Fouad Makhzoumi, Nadim Gemayel, Adnan Traboulsi, Melhem Khalaf, Jean Talouzian, and Ibrahim Mneimneh, reviewed with President Aoun the outcome of the conference held yesterday under the slogan "Beirut Safe and Free of Weapons," and the decisions issued by it. The members of the delegation spoke in support of the President of the Republic's positions. After the meeting, MP Hasbani made the following statement to journalists: "We came today to visit His Excellency the President of the Republic after the conference: 'Beirut Safe and Unarmed.' Following this conference, we came to brief His Excellency on the details of its resolutions and recommendations, which included a very large number of Beirut MPs. These resolutions included, first, support for the decisions of the executive authority: His Excellency the President, Prime Minister, and the cabinet combined regarding extending state authority over all its territories and restricting arms to its hands, leading up to the final decision stipulating making Beirut weapon-free so that the capital, city, and governorate are safe and a model for all of Lebanon." He added: "We demanded strictness in the application of laws and cooperation between military, security, judicial authorities, and administration, up to the point of necessity if there is a need for a general mobilization to give appropriate powers to implement the decision of the executive authority. We were conveying the concerns of the people of Beirut and the challenges facing the capital, because when Beirut is safe we have a launchpad for an entire safe Lebanon free of weapons." He said: "We touched upon the atmosphere of negotiations and international contacts that led to the ceasefire with a fundamental approach and a request from His Excellency the President, who spared Lebanon everything happening in the region and any additional risks and any additional destruction that might occur, so that negotiations and discussion can start regarding all subsequent steps to preserve permanent and sustainable stability in Lebanon, outside all regional conflicts." MP Khalaf Afterwards, MP Khalaf spoke to journalists, saying: "What we presented to His Excellency the President was something he was already informed of and following closely, particularly regarding the primary and clear matter of securing reassurance and stability for the city of Beirut, and the decisions taken within the Council of Ministers. There was an affirmation that today we are facing seriousness in completing the enforcement of these decisions, to be shouldered by the responsibility of the Lebanese Army and security forces in a decisive and effective manner, in a way that contributes to reassuring the people of Beirut and the displaced persons within it, and in a way that does not at any time pose any danger to the daily lives of Beirutis." He added: "We heard from His Excellency that the opportunity Lebanon has reached today through the ceasefire is a pivotal and fundamental station in a path awaited by Lebanon to achieve more stability for this tormented homeland, whose wait for the lifting of its suffering has been long." In response to a question about whether there is a tendency to expand the Phoenicia meeting, and whether there is an intent to open up to others in this direction, specifically the Amal-Hezbollah duo and those they represent in Beirut, and whether the delegation heard from the President of the Republic a date for the start of direct negotiations, MP Hasbani replied: The parliamentary gathering present in Beirut is broad enough to represent the largest segment. However, everyone who wants Beirut to be free of weapons and security operations outside the framework of the Lebanese state and the exclusivity of the Lebanese state over this matter is part of the convergence among Beirut MPs. The title and the action are what bring people together, not the process of a political gathering. The important thing is that whoever meets under the banner of "Beirut free of weapons and safe," and under the action of Beirut being free of any security or armed operations outside the decision and authority of the Lebanese state, is part of this gathering and stands with it. He added: "As for the second part of the question, we sensed from His Excellency the President that there is seriousness and solid sponsorship for the issue of negotiations, such that there will be a soon date to set their general framework to launch them with the aim of reaching a sustainable state for the situation in Lebanon that puts an end to permanent wars and devastating military confrontations. The date has not been determined yet, but we sensed that there is seriousness and speed to move forward. And we shake His Excellency the President's hands to do what is necessary to protect Lebanon's interest." MP Khalaf said: "It is worth noting that yesterday, two victims fell. And we cannot pay the bills for these weapons and lawlessness. Therefore, we all wanted to go in a direction that spares the lives of citizens. This is an essential matter."