Ceasefire first step to Israel talks

“We informed the American side conducting the efforts – appreciated – and from the very first moment, that a ceasefire is a necessary first step for any subsequent negotiations” with Israel, he said, adding that this had been clearly stated by the US State Department,” he posted on X.

Aoun quoted the US statement: “Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian and military targets and other state targets in Lebanese territory by land, sea, and air.”

He said that this is Lebanon’s official position, and that any body within Lebanon that issues statements counter to it holds no authority – an apparent jab at Hezbollah, which has rejected direct negotiations with Israel.

A short while ago, Hezbollah’s leader called for a return to indirect negotiations with Israel and said that his group will continue to fight back against Israeli “aggression” in southern Lebanon.

“What we are doing is not treason; rather, treason is committed by those who take their country to war to achieve foreign interests,” Aoun continued, accusing Hezbollah of being an Iranian proxy.

-Al Jazeera