Lebanese president calls out Israel-Hezbollah war as 'futile'

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun delivered a searing rebuke to Iran on Friday, accusing it of using his country as a bargaining chip against the wishes of the Lebanese people in the conflict with the United States and Israel.

In a rare and exclusive interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, President Aoun declared that he is committed to doing “whatever it takes” to save his country from conflict, and that the Lebanese people are “fed up” with war between Israel and Hezbollah, a heavily armed Iranian-backed proxy that has built strong domestic support by portraying itself as the defender of southern Lebanon and the Palestinian people.

0:00 Lebanese President Joseph Aoun speaks exclusively with CNN's Christiane Amanpour 2:10 Aoun: "This is a huge opportunity. Both sides have to choose: war or diplomacy." 3:28 Aoun: Israel's "strategy is short-sighted" 6:17 Aoun: Iran is "using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiation with the United States" 9:45 Amanpour: "Are you powerless?"

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