Lebanon is waiting for the United States to set a start date for delegation-level direct negotiations with Israel, according to remarks by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday.
Speaking before a gathering of economic bodies, the President discussed ongoing progress toward ending the war, reiterating the sovereignty and unity of the Lebanese state. His message was later undercut in a message from Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
Statement of Unity
President Aoun said Lebanon was pursuing a negotiated path to address the ongoing situation with Israel, stressing that all steps taken so far have been conducted in coordination with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The signalling has been consistent as he continues to reject claims of unilateral decision-making.
He addressed criticisms that Lebanon had allowed Israel a “free hand” in continuing attacks on Lebanese soil, a claim which many said was made explicit in the U.S. statement which followed trilateral Washington talks. Aoun said the text did not constitute a formal agreement and simply repeated language previously agreed in November 2024 by all parties. He denied that Lebanon had accepted provisions granting Israel freedom to continue military operations.
Hours later, the media office of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri published a statement alledging that President’s statements were highly inaccurate, specifically his statements regarding language of the November 2024 agreement and “the subject of the negotiations.”
Path Forward
Aoun said, the Lebanese government was “making every possible effort to reach a solution away from violence and bloodshed, and that solution lies in negotiations,” Aoun said. He added that Israel would not achieve security through continued strikes or the destruction of border villages, arguing that such approaches had already failed in the past.
“The only way to protect the borders is through a strong Lebanese state fully deployed across the south up to the internationally recognized boundaries,” the President stated. Aoun stressed that Israel must fully implement the ceasefire before any transition to negotiations can take place, adding that ongoing violations undermine diplomatic efforts.
He said Lebanon is engaged in diplomatic contacts to contain the consequences of continued military activity and build momentum toward talks, noting support from the European Union and Arab states for Beirut’s diplomatic approach.
Aoun also said there is broad domestic consensus, particularly in southern Lebanon, in favor of ending the conflict and moving toward a political settlement.
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