Pakistan, July 11 -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun firmly ruled out any move toward normalisation with Israel on Friday, but stressed the need for peace between the two neighbouring countries. His remarks followed Israel's recent expression of interest in establishing ties with Lebanon.

Speaking to an Arab think tank delegation, Aoun distinguished between peace and normalisation. He said peace simply meant the absence of war, which is Lebanon's main focus for now. However, he made it clear that normalisation is not currently part of the country's foreign policy agenda.

The Lebanese president called on Israel to withdraw from five disputed border points it continues to occupy, which has hindered Lebanon's ability to fully deploy its arm...