Aoun says negotiations with Israel are preferable to war despite obstacles

BEIRUT — President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that Lebanon chose to negotiate with Israel to avoid the devastation of war, stressing that talks remain “by far preferable to war” despite the obstacles they face.

“We have made the decision to enter negotiations in order to avoid the devastation and tragedies caused by war. It is true that these negotiations are neither easy nor quick and face obstacles and difficulties, but they remain by far preferable to war,” Aoun said at Baabda Palace during a meeting with a delegation from the Maronite General Council.

“We share the same objectives: to liberate the South, deploy the army to the border, recover prisoners, allow residents to return and rebuild,” he added. “As has become clear, these objectives cannot be achieved through war. Therefore, negotiation is the only option left.”

Aoun also said he and the government had begun tackling Lebanon’s long-standing corruption problem.

“We are fighting a battle against those who reject the logic of the state, while we want the state,” he said.

The president also highlighted the government’s economic and financial reforms, saying they were “not enough” but had helped generate some growth. He said the war had dashed hopes for faster economic growth this year, but stressed that “Lebanon stands firm and its institutions continue to function.”

Lebanon was drawn into the war between Iran, Israel and the United States in early March after Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel in support of Tehran. Israel responded with heavy bombardment that killed more than 4,300 people and has since occupied a buffer zone of more than 600 square kilometers in southern Lebanon.

At the end of June, Lebanon and Israel, under US sponsorship, reached a framework agreement providing for Hezbollah’s disarmament, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the area.

Hezbollah opposes direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. An eighth round is expected to take place in Rome in September, although no date has yet been set amid hesitation from both sides.