Lebanese President: "There is no choice but negotiations with Israel"

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said today at a meeting in his palace in Baabda that "negotiations with Israel are not easy or fast, and there are obstacles and difficulties, but it is far preferable to war." In a conversation with a delegation of Maronite Christians, Aoun explained that "the decision to conduct negotiations with Israel was made to prevent the disasters and tragedies caused by the war."

He explained that the Lebanese have clear goals: the liberation of southern Lebanon, the deployment of the army along the borders, the release of prisoners, facilitating the return of displaced persons, and the reconstruction process. "This cannot be achieved through war, as has become clear. Therefore, there is no choice but negotiations," the president stated.

"Nation-building is a shared responsibility and does not fall on the shoulders of one person or one party. Everyone has a role and a place. The national interest must remain the top priority, above any personal interest, so that the country can recover," the Lebanese president told the delegation. According to him, the government has taken steps toward economic and financial reforms, achieving some growth, but the war has destroyed these hopes. "We have started to address the issue of corruption that has been rampant for years, and we are waging a war against elements that refuse to accept the logic of the state," he added.

Aoun's remarks follow months of direct contacts between Israel and Lebanon, during which Beirut has sought to promote a framework for a ceasefire, an IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the release of detainees, and the resolution of points of contention along the land border. In May, several rounds of talks were held in Washington. Reports indicate that Israel focused on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the destruction of its military infrastructure, while Lebanon prioritized a ceasefire.

Despite significant difficulties, Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati continue to pursue the diplomatic path. Political sources suggest that the leadership in Beirut is seeking to disconnect the Israeli-Lebanese track from Iranian influence, emphasizing that only the Lebanese state is authorized to make decisions regarding its future. This stance has deepened the confrontation between Aoun and Hezbollah. Diplomatic sources familiar with the talks estimate that the Lebanese leadership has "passed the point of no return" on the way to an agreement, viewing the reduction of Hezbollah's influence as a prerequisite for the country's reconstruction.