Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed that an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire is the “natural” and only way to move to direct negotiations with Israel. This comes within the framework of the presidential initiative aimed at restoring stability and protecting national sovereignty.
Exclusive negotiation and arms deals
During his meeting with British Minister of State for the Middle East, Hamish Falkover, on Thursday, President Aoun stressed that “negotiations are the sole responsibility of the Lebanese authorities.” Aoun asserted that negotiations are a sovereign matter in which no unofficial parties can be involved.
He explained that the state is committed to ending the targeting of civilians and the destruction of villages. He also emphasized that the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories is a fundamental step towards the redeployment of the Lebanese army to the international border and the establishment of the state’s sole authority. He added that eliminating all illegal armed groups is a primary objective. The Lebanese president indicated that government decisions regarding the state’s monopoly on the use of force will be firmly implemented, fulfilling the aspirations of the Lebanese people to see their state solely responsible for security and stability.
British support and mysterious American moves
For his part, the British minister announced his country’s support for President Aoun’s efforts and his negotiating initiative. He also revealed a £20.5 million humanitarian aid package to support the displaced persons file. These official statements come at a time of uncertainty surrounding a “phone call” announced by US President Donald Trump between Aoun and Netanyahu. While Israeli Technology Minister Gila Gamliel confirmed that the call would take place today, a senior Lebanese official denied to Reuters that Beirut was aware of any such arrangements.
Trump and the “rest period” gamble
Trump had written on Truth Social that he was seeking a “period of calm” between the two countries. He also noted that the region had not witnessed contact between a Lebanese and an Israeli leader for nearly 43 years.
Despite this American momentum, the Israeli newspaper Yisrael Hayom indicated that assessments in Tel Aviv do not anticipate an imminent agreement. In contrast, Axios reported that Washington has not officially asked Israel to cease fighting, but that Trump would “welcome” an end to the conflict as part of a comprehensive agreement. This discrepancy places the Lebanese initiative in direct confrontation with the pressures of American “fait accompli,” as President Aoun insists that the diplomatic process begins with a cessation of hostilities and withdrawal. He maintains that symbolic calls precede the maturation of sovereign agreements on the ground, but they are not the actual start of the process.
