Beirut: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has declared that direct negotiations with Israel represent "the only remaining path to achieving a lasting peace," as he committed to pursuing efforts to conclude the ongoing war. Aoun made these remarks during a meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda with a delegation from southern towns, emphasizing the impact of the southern region's suffering on the entirety of Lebanon.
According to Anadolu Agency, Aoun stated, "When the south suffers, all of Lebanon is affected. It is time for the south, and all of Lebanon, to find relief." He reiterated his dedication to ending the Israeli conflict and securing a peace that is enduring. Expressing solidarity with the people in the south, Aoun commended their resilience in the face of challenging conditions and their steadfastness to their land and property.
Aoun emphasized that his endeavors are directed at benefiting all Lebanese citizens, highlighting that direct negotiations with Israel are the sole viable option after the exhaustion of other alternatives, such as war. He urged the Lebanese army to reassert its role in the south, advocating for it to be the exclusive authority responsible for security in the region. "Everyone must rally around the army and security forces; otherwise, the loss will affect all," he asserted.
He underscored the importance of maintaining civil peace, describing it as a "red line," and cautioned that any actions undermining it would ultimately serve Israel's interests. On a preceding occasion, Aoun reiterated the irreversibility of the negotiation path, noting the inopportune timing for a meeting with the Israeli prime minister. He stressed that the objectives of any negotiation process are contingent on Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories and the return of prisoners, rights that Lebanon has long sought.
Recent talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington on April 14 and 23 were intended as a prelude to potential peace negotiations. Despite a ceasefire declared on April 17 and set to last until May 17, Israel has persisted with strikes. Hezbollah, a Lebanese resistance group, has consistently opposed negotiations, maintaining its commitment to armed resistance.
Lebanon and Israel have been officially at war since 1948. Since March 2, Israel's offensive against Lebanon has resulted in 2,702 deaths, 831 injuries, and the displacement of over 1.6 million individuals, constituting about one-fifth of the population, as per official figures. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to breach the agreement through daily airstrikes and the demolition of homes in southern Lebanon.