Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told CNN he will not meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu until an agreement is reached to end the war. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
"I will not meet with Netanyahu before an agreement is reached to end the war. We say to the Israeli government that a military solution will never provide security for northern Israel," Aoun said.
He stressed that there is no option but to negotiate and that they are trying to take advantage of US President Donald Trump's personal interest in ending this conflict. "What is being proposed is a non-aggression agreement or a security agreement, but as for a peace agreement, we are part of the Arab Initiative," the Lebanese leader added.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanon. In recent weeks, Israeli forces have intensified strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. According to the UN, over 200,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.
Joseph Aoun was elected president of Lebanon in January 2025. He has previously refused direct negotiations with Israel, preferring Arab mediation. This stance aligns with Lebanon's long-standing policy.
The Arab Initiative is a peace plan proposed by Saudi Arabia in 2002 and endorsed by the Arab League. It offers normalization with Israel in exchange for its withdrawal to the 1967 borders and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Israel has not yet officially responded to Aoun's statement. However, Israeli experts described the position as "an attempt to derail negotiations." According to political analysts in Tel Aviv, the Netanyahu government is ready for direct dialogue with Lebanon but demands security guarantees given Hezbollah's influence.
US President Donald Trump has previously expressed interest in resolving the Israel-Lebanon conflict. His administration has signaled readiness to mediate to ensure regional stability. However, Aoun's latest statement casts doubt on the near-term prospects for peace talks.
The Lebanese president's decision has drawn mixed reactions from the international community. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on both sides to engage in dialogue. European Union officials also stressed the need for continued negotiations.
Currently, cross-border fire between Israel and Lebanon continues. Both sides accuse each other of violating ceasefire agreements. The UNIFIL mission continues to monitor the situation in the region.
Further developments will depend on US mediation efforts and the parties' willingness to negotiate. Aoun's refusal to meet Netanyahu underscores the complexity of the peace process.