Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with his visiting Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments, and international issues of mutual concern.

A statement issued on Wednesday following the talks highlighted the “brotherly” relationship between Lebanon and Palestine, stressing their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation on various fronts.

Both leaders condemned Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip, calling it “continued Israeli aggression” that has led to an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.” They urged the international community to take immediate action to halt the violence and ensure civilian protection.

The leaders also denounced Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and called for international pressure, particularly from the US and France, to enforce a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.

A joint Lebanese-Palestinian committee was formed to monitor living conditions in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and ensure they do not become “safe havens for radical groups.” The committee will also enhance coordination to maintain stability in the camps.

Both sides reaffirmed the principle of exclusive state control over arms in Lebanon, with a shared commitment to ending the era of weapons outside state control in the country.

Abbas’s three-day visit to Lebanon began with a meeting at the presidential headquarters, where the two leaders focused on Palestinian weapons in refugee camps, extending full Lebanese state authority over these camps, and the plan’s implementation.

Both leaders stressed the importance of continued support for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) and the need to increase financial resources to enable the agency to fulfill its obligations to Palestinian refugees.