Joseph Aoun

Aoun to Cabinet: The Language of Dialogue Must Prevail Over War

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized that “the language of negotiation must take precedence over that of war” during Thursday’s Cabinet meeting at the Baabda Presidential Palace. A significant portion of the session focused on the ceasefire file and the revival of the security negotiation framework. In this context, President Aoun ...

Lebanon’s Diplomatic Pivot: Understanding Simon Karam’s Role

Wednesday’s meeting of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism in Naqoura carried the weight of history. Lebanon held civilian-led direct talks with Israel for the first time in decades, a development that offered Beirut a rare opportunity to resuscitate the faltering November 27, 2024, ceasefire and begin moving toward substantive political ...

An Opportunity for Lebanon to Join the Abrahams Accords

“We affirm today that the survival of this Lebanon, gathered entirely around you, is a condition for peace, hope, and reconciliation among all the children of Abraham.” With these words to Pope Leo XIV during the pontiff’s visit to Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun signaled a possible willingness to bring his country into the ...

A Historic Day: Lebanon and Israel Hold First Direct Talks in Decades

Lebanon and Israel held their first civilian-led direct talks in decades on Wednesday, in a meeting hosted by UNIFIL in Naqura as part of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism established in November 2024. The shift from military to political dialogue marks a historic rupture in Lebanese policy—driven by President Joseph Aoun’s bold ...

A Historic Decision by Joseph Aoun… Lebanon on the Path to Joining the Abraham Accords

The news of appointing former ambassador Simon Karam to head the Lebanese delegation to the “Mechanism” meetings—and the Presidency’s confirmation of his participation in today’s session in Naqoura—can only be understood within the context of the bold steps President Joseph Aoun is taking to move toward direct negotiations to resolve ...

Pope Leo XIV Sends Voice Message to President Aoun and the Lebanese People

From the plane carrying him back to Rome, Pope Leo XIV sent a voice message to President Joseph Aoun, broadcast by LBCI on Tuesday. In the recording, the pontiff expressed his gratitude for the welcome he received during his visit to Lebanon. “While on my way to Rome following the conclusion of my papal visit, I would like to express my ...

Pope Urges Lebanese to Stay in Their Country Despite Difficulties

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called on the Lebanese people to embrace reconciliation and to remain in their country. Arriving from Turkey on his first international trip, the American pope brought a message of peace for Lebanon, while also urging its leaders to put themselves fully "at the service of your people". "There are times when it is easier to ...

Lebanon and Cyprus Sign Maritime Border Deal

Lebanon and Cyprus formally signed a maritime border demarcation agreement on Wednesday, marking a major step in bilateral relations and paving the way for expanded energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides signed the agreement at Lebanon's presidential ...

Egypt's Foreign Minister Presents De-Escalation Proposal to Lebanon

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Cairo’s “full support” for Lebanon’s efforts to assert exclusive state control over weapons during an official visit to Beirut on Wednesday. After talks with President Joseph Aoun, Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s backing for the president’s latest Independence ...

Football: Lebanon Heads to Qatar to Launch Its 2025 Arab Cup Campaign

Lebanon’s national football team departed for Doha on Sunday afternoon to begin final preparations ahead of their opening match in the 2025 Arab Cup. Miodrag Radulović’s men will face Sudan on Wednesday, November 26 at 6:00 p.m. (Beirut time) at Al-Gharafa Stadium, in a decisive knockout match that will determine their qualification to the ...

President Joseph Aoun Condemns Israel Airstrike on Beirut

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Israel’s airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday, noting that the attack happened the day following Lebanon’s Independence Day. President Aoun described it as “further proof that Israel disregards repeated calls to halt its assaults on Lebanon, refuses to implement international ...

President Aoun's Initiative Trapped Between Israel and Hezbollah

President Joseph Aoun is waiting for responses to his initiative, unveiled on the eve of Independence Day, fully aware that its outcome depends largely on two actors: Hezbollah and Israel. According to sources, Hezbollah has no intention of providing a clear response to the Lebanese presidency. The Iran-backed group remains determined to retain ...