Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressed that a ceasefire is the “essential prerequisite” for any further steps with Israel.
This comes amid ongoing military escalation on Lebanon’s southern border.
The Lebanese president explained that achieving de-escalation and halting military operations
are essential conditions for creating a conducive environment for any future political or security initiatives.
He also emphasized the importance of preventing further deterioration of the situation in the region.
Discussion of security developments
The phone call addressed the latest developments on the ground along the Lebanese-Israeli border,
amid continued airstrikes, mutual shelling, and escalating security tensions in recent days.
The two sides also discussed international efforts aimed
at consolidating the ceasefire and preventing the confrontations from spreading.
They further discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.
The Lebanese president affirmed his country’s commitment to stability and its rejection of sliding into a wider confrontation.
However, he called on the international community to exert the necessary
pressure to halt the escalation and ensure respect for Lebanese sovereignty.
American and international moves
He stressed that no negotiating or security track with Israel could be achieved while military operations continued.
He considered a ceasefire to be the foundation for any subsequent steps.
For his part, the US Secretary of State discussed with the Lebanese President ways to support de-escalation efforts.
This comes as Washington and several international parties intensify
their contacts to prevent the crisis on the Lebanese front from worsening.
These contacts coincide with security meetings and regional and international diplomatic moves.
These efforts aim to reduce tensions and maintain stability in the region.
