President Aoun outlines Lebanon’s negotiating approach, says Trump showed understanding and support

President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon will handle upcoming negotiations through a delegation headed by Ambassador Simon Karam, stressing that no other party will participate or replace Lebanon in this process.

Aoun said the aim of the negotiations is to stop hostilities, end the Israeli presence in southern Lebanese areas, and deploy the Lebanese army up to the internationally recognized southern border.

He added that U.S. President Donald Trump showed “full understanding and responsiveness” during their contact, and reportedly intervened with Israel to secure a ceasefire and prepare for a negotiation track intended to end the current situation and restore full Lebanese state authority and sovereignty over its territory, especially in the south.

Aoun said communications will continue to maintain the ceasefire and advance toward launching talks, noting that the process should be accompanied by broad national support to enable the negotiating team to achieve its objectives.

He also described the upcoming negotiations as separate from any other track, saying Lebanon faces two choices: continued war with its humanitarian, social, economic, and sovereignty consequences, or negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and achieving sustainable stability. He said he has chosen negotiation, expressing hope of saving Lebanon.