By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
SvennoJ on 05 December 2025
Edit Thread

President Aoun says Israeli-Lebanon talks aim primarily to end hostilities

Ceasefire talks with Israel are primarily aimed at stopping Israeli hostilities on Lebanese territory, President Joseph Aoun has said.

His comments come after officials from both sides said civilian envoys had been sent to the military committee that monitors their ceasefire, in a step that broadens the scope of their discussions.

Israel said its representative was dispatched to Lebanon to help lay the groundwork for a relationship and potential economic cooperation.

“These negotiations are mainly aimed at stopping the hostile actions carried out by Israel on Lebanese territory, securing the return of the captives, scheduling the withdrawal from the occupied areas, and resolving the disputed points along the Blue Line,” Aoun said, referring to the UN-mapped line that separates Israel from Lebanon.

Engaging in direct talks with Israel is a sensitive issue in Lebanon, where Israel is perceived by many as a longtime archenemy. But the Lebanese government has been under increasing US diplomatic pressure to do so, and its decision to send a former ambassador to the US to the monitoring committee was perceived as a concession towards that direction.

Israel and Lebanon entered a US-brokered ceasefire agreement last year, but Israel has not halted strikes against Lebanon, which it claims are against the Hezbollah group.


Hezbollah chief slams inclusion of civilian in Lebanon’s direct talks with Israel

Naim Qassem has denounced direct talks between Israel and Lebanon after the Lebanese government included a civilian representative in UN-backed military deconfliction meetings with its southern neighbour.

The Hezbollah chief said the inclusion of a civilian in the meetings was a “free concession” to Israel.

  • Describing Israel as “expansionist”, Qassem says the country has not adhered to last year’s ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah by carrying out “constant” attacks.
  • “This aggression is not due to Hezbollah’s weapons but rather aims to gradually occupy Lebanon and establish a ‘Greater Israel’ through Lebanon,” he says.
  • Qassem has said the US has “no business interfering” with internal Lebanese issues, including the country’s defence strategy or efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
  • He calls for unity in Lebanon in the face of Israeli attacks across the country: “When we are united, they cannot do anything [to defeat us]. Aligning with Israel means sinking the ship … and then everyone will drown.”