Joseph Aoun: Negotiations with Israel do not mean capitulation

BEIRUT — President Joseph Aoun asserted on Wednesday that negotiations with Israel "do not mean capitulation," emphasizing that the state is working through dialogue to "strengthen security and stability, especially in the South."

"We are working through negotiation to consolidate security and stability, particularly in the South, and negotiating does not mean surrender," Aoun said at the Baabda Palace before the new council of the World Lebanese Cultural Union.

"As president of the Republic, I will pursue any path that serves Lebanon's interests. The main thing is to avert the specter of war, initiate reconstruction, enable residents to remain on their land, relaunch the economy, and develop the state," he continued.

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Aoun also stressed the need for the diaspora to convey "the true image of Lebanon," regretting that "some Lebanese abroad are projecting a negative image of the country."

He said "the game of those promoting war has now been exposed," adding that some "make a living off war to run election campaigns based on it." Aoun also assured that the situation in Lebanon is "good," and added that the pope's visit had "a positive impact."

Following the war between Hezbollah and Israel that ended with a cease-fire agreement in November 2024, a cease-fire monitoring committee (called the 'mechanism') was established, chaired by an American general.

While it was initially composed solely of military personnel, President Aoun made a surprising move in early December by appointing a civilian to the committee, former ambassador Simon Karam.

Israel did the same, which significantly altered the mission of the committee. Lebanon has repeatedly expressed its willingness to negotiate with Israel to end an unstable situation in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli army still occupies five positions it considers strategic despite the agreement requiring its full withdrawal, and continues daily violations in Lebanese territory under the pretext of "preventing Hezbollah from restoring its military capabilities."