Aoun: In any case, negotiations remain better than war's consequences

President Joseph Aoun said on Tuesday that the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are making progress, noting that in any case, they "remain better than the consequences of the devastating war," according a post published by the Lebanese Presidency on X. Aoun’s comments came despite the negative outlook of the latest round of negotiations, suggesting that he is seeking to project optimism. The President's comments were made while receiving a delegation from the Maronite Foundation in the World, headed by Rose Choueiry, in the Baabda Palace.

Echoing Aoun's comments, the American Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, said on Tuesday that the “Lebanese-Israeli negotiations are held every two or three weeks and are making significant progress, with each round offering a new solution.” “I am optimistic that they will help resolve the situation in Lebanon and the region," he said during a visit to the patriarchal headquarters in Balamand, where he met with Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John X Yazigi, among others. Issa also stressed that “US President Donald Trump loves Lebanon" and cares about achieving peace in the country.

The last round of negotiations, which took place in Rome last week, failed to stop the daily Israeli demolitions taking place in the areas occupied by Israel in Southern Lebanon and to expand the "pilot zones" project to new villages. As a result of this, Lebanon threatened to suspend its participation in the next round of talks before if its conditions are not met.

"Framework formula had a good impact"

From Baabda Palace, Aoun said that the scale of Israeli attacks on Lebanon has been reduced since the framework formula was signed, "which has had a positive impact on Lebanese returning to spend the summer in their homeland." Israeli attacks in Southern Lebanon scaled backed on June 20, around one week before the signing of the framework agreement. However, they have increased again in recent weeks, especially the bombardment of infrastructure in the villages occupied by Israel.

“There is no disagreement among the Lebanese over the objectives: an Israeli withdrawal, the return of the prisoners, and the reconstruction of what was destroyed. Ultimately, we will not allow Israel to remain on even a single inch of our land, nor will we allow a single one of its soldiers to remain on our territory," Aoun said.

"We constantly hear slogans saying that what was taken by force can only be recovered by force, but the realities on the ground have proven this claim false," Aoun noted. "It is time for the people of the south to have some respite and settle on their land, instead of the wars waged in their name for non-Lebanese objectives continuing," he added.

The President finally said that his goal today is to "rebuild the state, whatever the cost, despite opposition from those seeking to undermine the foundations of the state and prevent its reconstruction."