A BLUNT threat was issued to Israel by the head of the Lebanese army when he vowed to do whatever it takes fight aggression from Tel Aviv at a conference on increasing stability in the Middle East.

General Joseph Aoun’s furious remarks were made in a speech at the “Support for Stability and Development in the Arab States and the Middle East” regional conference.

Lebanon and Israel have seen relations strain in recent years over Tel Aviv’s plans to build a border wall and Beirut's decision to explore for offshore energy near disputed waters. General Aoun said: “I reiterate today our categorical rejection of the Israeli enemy's sovereignty of Lebanon and its sacred right to invest all its economic resources. “And the army will not spare any method available to confront any Israeli aggression, whatever that costs.”