Lebanese President Joseph Aoun advocates for negotiations with Israel

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that negotiations with Israel remain the only viable option to achieve national objectives in the south, including the liberation of territories and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the international borders. Speaking to a delegation from the Maronite General Council, Aoun emphasized that these goals cannot be achieved through war, noting that the decision to pursue negotiations was made to avoid the tragedies caused by ongoing conflict.

While acknowledging that the process is difficult and faces numerous obstacles, Aoun maintained that negotiation is a far better alternative to war. He reiterated the state's commitment to deploying the army to assert authority over all Lebanese territory. This follows a framework agreement signed in June 2026, mediated by the United States, which outlines a gradual Israeli withdrawal in exchange for Lebanese army deployment and the disarmament of armed groups.

On domestic issues, the President addressed corruption, stating that the current government has begun tackling systemic corruption that has persisted for years. He described an internal struggle against those who reject the logic of the state. Aoun also noted that while economic and financial reforms are underway, they are not yet sufficient, though they had previously contributed to expected economic growth before the war disrupted those prospects.