Beirut, Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said a ceasefire agreed by Lebanon should lead to “permanent agreements,” in his first televised address since a US-brokered deal ended six weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Ceasefire terms and planned talks
The ceasefire, reached on Thursday, halted hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah. Its text предусматривает that Israel and Lebanon will hold direct talks aimed at producing “peace between the two countries.”
Aoun’s call for a new phase
Aoun thanked US President Donald Trump and regional partners for their role in securing the agreement, before describing what he called a transition to a new stage. He said Lebanon was moving from working toward a ceasefire to working toward permanent agreements that preserve “the rights of our people, the unity of our land, and the sovereignty of our nation.”
Position on negotiations and immediate priorities
Aoun did not explicitly confirm that negotiations would lead to a formal peace deal with Israel, but said engagement was necessary and not a concession. He said the negotiations were not a sign of weakness, retreat, or concession. He referred directly to Israel when listing immediate priorities, including ending Israeli attacks on Lebanon and securing the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory.
Israel’s defence minister said troops would continue demolishing structures in southern Lebanon that he said were being used by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah criticism and regional positioning
The announcement drew criticism from Hezbollah, which opposes direct talks with Israel, and lawmakers affiliated with the group criticised the government’s decision to proceed with negotiations.
Aoun made indirect references to Hezbollah and Iran in describing Lebanon’s position in regional dynamics. He said Lebanon would negotiate and decide for itself and was no longer “a card in anyone’s game” or “an arena for anyone’s wars.”
Responsibility and proposed White House meeting
Aoun said he was prepared to “bear full responsibility” for the direction taken and said he was ready to act “to liberate my land, protect my people, and save my country.”
Trump has said he intends to invite Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for talks, though no date has been confirmed.
What do you think the planned direct talks could change about Lebanon’s next steps after the ceasefire?