Lebanon President Aoun pledges to keep direct negotiations with Israel

Lebanon President Joseph Aoun told a gathering at the Baabda presidential palace on 10 July that he will not withdraw from the decision to pursue direct talks with Israel, despite criticism from Hezbollah and other political forces. He said the negotiations aim to restore Lebanon’s rights through diplomatic channels and warned that opposition to this path is driven by external interests.

Lebanon has set a pre‑condition for the next round of talks scheduled in Rome on 15‑16 July: Israel must withdraw from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon before Lebanese officials join the direct negotiation round. The talks follow five U.S.‑sponsored rounds in Washington that produced a framework outlining Hezbollah disarmament and a phased Israeli pull‑out, though no timetable was established and Israeli forces remain in designated security zones.

The negotiations occur amid ongoing hostilities that have killed more than 4,300 people and injured over 12,000 since 2 March, according to Lebanese authorities.