Lebanon will pursue an extension of its ceasefire with Israel at the upcoming meeting in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Wednesday.
In remarks published by the Lebanese Presidency, Aoun noted that Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh will “raise the issue of extending the deadline of the ceasefire agreement and halting Israel’s demolition operations in the southern villages and towns” during a preparatory meeting at the US State Department on Thursday.
He stressed that Lebanon’s top priorities in the talks are preserving national sovereignty, halting Israeli aggression, and securing a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories.
Furthermore, Aoun emphasized that negotiations will focus on releasing Lebanese prisoners in Israel, deploying the army along the borders, and beginning the reconstruction process. He also underscored the urgency of the return of displaced people to their homes.
Aoun said that the support Lebanon received from the US, as well as brotherly and friendly countries, has “provided us with an opportunity that we must not miss, as it may not come again.”
Lebanon and Israel held their first direct talks in decades in Washington last week despite opposition from the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The talks were mediated by US State Secretary Marco Rubio and ended with both sides agreeing to start a negotiation process.
However, Aoun stressed that a ceasefire should take effect before starting any direct negotiations with Israel. “The ceasefire requested by Lebanon with Israel is the natural starting point for direct negotiations between the two countries,” he said in a statement last week.
In response, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel that took effect on Friday.
