Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that Lebanon will not reverse course on ongoing U.S.-backed negotiations with Israel, declaring that diplomacy remains the country’s only viable option amid the ongoing conflict.
“There is no turning back from the negotiations track because there is no other choice for us,” Aoun said, in remarks delivered at Baabda Palace following talks with a parliamentary delegation from the Lebanese Forces bloc.
Firm commitment to diplomacy
Aoun framed the negotiations as a strategic necessity, emphasizing that Lebanon is prepared to move forward with talks at a pace aligned with U.S. efforts. He described the Washington-mediated contacts as a “major achievement” for Lebanon, noting that they reflect personal attention from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The President confirmed that preparatory meetings are expected to continue in the coming days, including a third round of meetings under the auspices of the United States between the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel in Washington, paving the way for formal negotiations.
The Lebanese president also outlined Lebanon’s core demands in any future agreement, stressing that the negotiations aim to secure a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the release of detainees, longstanding demands for Beirut.
At the same time, Aoun ruled out any immediate high-level political engagement with Israel, saying that a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be premature.
“We must first reach a security agreement and stop the Israeli attacks before raising the issue of any meeting,” he said.
Regional and international backing
Aoun highlighted growing international support for Lebanon’s diplomatic approach, citing engagement from the United States, European countries, and regional actors, including Saudi Arabia.
He said the initiative put forward by Lebanon has helped clarify the country’s official position to international partners, reducing misunderstandings and strengthening backing for the proposed diplomatic track.
Diplomacy over war
Reaffirming his stance, Aoun stressed that the choice of diplomacy comes after the failure of military options to deliver results.
“The choice of war did not achieve its intended outcomes,” he said, arguing that the current path reflects the collective exhaustion of the Lebanese population after years of conflict.
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