Lebanese President Refuses to Back Down from Negotiations with Israel
Beirut/Istanbul (ANTARA) - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday (10 July) that he would not reverse his decision to continue negotiations with Israel, according to a statement from the presidency.
Aoun made the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, eastern Beirut, with a delegation from the Lebanese Forces parliamentary bloc led by party leader Samir Geagea.
“Why should the Lebanese people continue to pay the price for a war triggered on the orders of external actors and for their interests?” Aoun asked.
“I guarantee that I will not back down from the decision to negotiate that I have taken,” Aoun said.
“I also affirm that all my positions include explaining to the Lebanese people the importance of the path we are taking and Lebanon’s commitment to its sovereignty at every step we take,” he added.
Aoun said criticism of direct negotiations with Israel was “not worth responding to”, noting that Lebanon had conducted direct negotiations with Israel more than once, beginning in 1949.
He said the proposed framework agreement would restore Lebanon’s rights “through diplomatic channels” if Israel abided by its provisions and the agreement was successfully implemented.
“All criticism targeting this path stems from a desire to return the Lebanese issue to being a card in Iran’s hand,” he added.
The negotiation track has drawn criticism from Hezbollah and other Lebanese political forces, who argue that the proposed framework agreement primarily serves Israel’s interests and that any negotiations with Israel should remain indirect.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said on Wednesday (8 July) that the agreement was “entirely in Israel’s interest” and urged Aoun to adopt indirect negotiations.
On Tuesday (7 July), Druze leader Walid Jumblatt described the framework agreement as “a one-sided agreement imposed by Israel”, adding that peace with Israel was “impossible”.
Lebanon and Israel signed the US-sponsored framework agreement on 26 June, which provides for the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territory, beginning with two unspecified pilot zones.
Despite the agreement, Israeli troops continue to commit violations, carrying out a series of house demolitions in the southern town of Khiam and detonating explosives in the nearby town of Taybeh, according to Lebanese media.
Since 2 March, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 4,300 people and wounded more than 12,000, according to official figures.
Israeli forces continue to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some of which they have held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war. During the latest offensive, Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory.