Aoun ready to 'do the impossible' to stop the war

President Joseph Aoun said on Monday that the "framework set by Lebanon for the direct negotiations with Israel consists of an Israeli withdrawal, a cease-fire, the deployment of the Lebanese Army along the border, the return of displaced persons, and economic or financial assistance for Lebanon," noting that "anything being discussed outside this framework is incorrect.”

Aoun spoke about the negotiations before MP Michel Daher and a delegation from agricultural unions at the Baabda Presidential Palace.

“It is my duty, based on my position and responsibility, to do the impossible — and pursue the least costly path — in order to stop the war affecting Lebanon and its people," Aoun said, according to the Lebanese Presidency.

Aoun also told the delegation that he will "continue efforts with Saudi Arabia to reopen markets to Lebanese products and to provide facilitations for farmers inside Lebanon, enabling them to continue despite the difficult circumstances the country is going through.”

The President also talked about the Lebanese-Israeli negotiations in a meeting held on Monday with the French ambassador to Beirut, Hervé Magro, at the Baabda Palace. According to the Lebanese Presidency, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and developments related to the ongoing Lebanese-U.S.-Israeli negotiations in Washington.

Furthermore, Aoun held a meeting with Minister Defense, Michel Menassah at Baabda on Monday, during which they reviewed the security situation in the country, as well as developments in the South in light of continued Israeli attacks.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also talked about the negotiations on Monday, saying that there is "ongoing follow-up on the practical arrangements for the cease-fire amid the difficult regional situation," during a regular ministerial meeting in the Grand Serail, according to a statement released by the Grand Serail.

Following the meeting, Information Minister Paul Morcos said that "developments related to Israeli attacks were reviewed," noting that "emphasis was placed on Lebanon’s request to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Lebanon in the near future in order to establish a fact-finding mission, paving the way for Lebanon to present the matter before the Human Rights Council in Geneva."

Separately, Morcos noted that a Cabinet session is tentatively scheduled for next Friday, adding that this is to be confirmed within the next few hours.

Despite the so-called Lebanon-Israel cease-fire, reached on April 16 following 45 days of war, hundreds of people have been killed in South Lebanon since then, as Israeli attacks have continued. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has been carrying out around a dozen attacks per day, targeting Israeli forces still occupying Lebanese villages.

On Friday, as part of the direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations in Washington, an agreement was reached to extend the agreement for 45 extra days.