Smoke rises following an explosion in Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, May 3, 2026. (Credit: Shir Torem)
BEIRUT — Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea said Tuesday that "those who do not recognize what the legitimate president of Lebanon and the government are doing do not recognize the existence of a state in Lebanon," as upcoming negotiations are set to take place between Beirut and Tel Aviv under Washington’s auspices, and the United States is pressing Joseph Aoun to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu.
"To those who say they are not concerned by the legal and constitutional negotiations led by the president of the republic in coordination and solidarity with the prime minister and the government, this means they are denying Lebanon as a state, the majority of Lebanese, and by extension, the country as a homeland," emphasized the LF head, urging state officials to act accordingly.
"In recent days, we have heard some reiterate that they do not feel concerned either by the negotiations led by Lebanon or by any agreements it might reach. To these people, we say: we are not concerned by your remarks or by anything you do, except that it has brought disasters upon Lebanon and the Lebanese," he added. Geagea was responding to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, who on Monday reiterated his rejection of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, instead calling for indirect talks.
U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa said Monday that a meeting between President Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu "does not constitute a defeat or a concession."
A visit by Aoun to the United States "would allow Lebanon’s demands to be brought to the table," he insisted, adding that the U.S. administration wants "to preserve Lebanon’s independence and dignity." "Netanyahu is not the bogeyman, he is the other party in the negotiations," he added.
"Lebanon has a democratically and effectively elected parliament that faithfully represents the Lebanese people. This parliament elected President Joseph Aoun by a majority of 99 votes out of 128. It then gave its confidence to the current government twice in a row, with a majority exceeding two-thirds. Therefore, those who represent the Lebanese are the president of the republic and the government, each according to the prerogatives granted by the constitution," Geagea continued.
Aoun said Monday that a security agreement with Israel should precede any meeting with the Israeli prime minister, stating that the timing of such an encounter is currently "not appropriate." "We must first arrive at a security agreement" and obtain "an end to Israeli aggressions" against Lebanon, he said, without explicitly ruling out the option of a meeting.
