Lebanon’s president says ceasefire extension talks are underway

• President Joseph Aoun announced that diplomatic efforts are underway to extend the current 10-day ceasefire.
• The comments come just a day before a scheduled meeting between Lebanese and 'Israeli' ambassadors in Washington.
• Aoun outlined key negotiation goals, including an 'Israeli' withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese Army along the border.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on Wednesday that diplomatic contacts are actively ongoing to extend the current ceasefire, as preparations continue for further negotiations between Lebanon and 'Israel'.

Read more: Lebanon president says aiming to end hostilities with ‘Israel’ talks

Washington talks and negotiation goals

The president's remarks were released by his office just one day before a second scheduled meeting between the Lebanese and 'Israeli' ambassadors in Washington.

Outlining Lebanon's primary objectives for the upcoming talks, Aoun emphasized the need to "fully" halt 'Israeli' attacks. He added that the negotiations aim to secure the complete withdrawal of 'Israeli' troops from Lebanese territory, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in 'Israel', the deployment of Lebanese armed forces along the southern border, and the start of the country's reconstruction process.

Read more: Diplomacy is ‘war without blood’, says Lebanon’s president of 'Israel' talks

An opportunity not to be missed

President Aoun also highlighted the critical importance of international backing during this diplomatic phase. He stated that the support promised to Lebanon by US President Donald Trump and other nations has "provided us with an opportunity that we must not miss, as it may not come again."

The recent conflict between 'Israel' and Hezbollah was temporarily halted by a 10-day ceasefire agreement that officially went into effect last Friday.

Diplomatic efforts are now racing against the clock to convert the temporary pause into a more sustainable resolution.