Lebanese President denies direct contact with Netanyahu

• President Joseph Aoun detailed diplomatic efforts with the US to end the war and secure an 'Israeli' withdrawal.
• Aoun firmly denied media rumors of any phone communication with 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• The Lebanese Ambassador to the US will attend a meeting in Washington on Thursday evening to push for a ceasefire extension.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun addressed the cabinet on Thursday, outlining ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the military escalation and confirming an upcoming meeting in Washington to discuss extending the current ceasefire.

Diplomatic framework and denials

Aoun stated that recent communications, particularly with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focused on a comprehensive framework.

He noted that the goals include securing a permanent ceasefire, ending the state of war with 'Israel', an 'Israeli' withdrawal from occupied territories, the return of prisoners, the deployment of the Lebanese Army to the international borders, and resolving outstanding disputes over the Blue Line.

Addressing recent media speculation, Aoun firmly dismissed claims of any direct communication with 'Israeli' leadership. "A phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was never an option for me at all," he stated, calling the media reports inaccurate.

Upcoming Washington talks

The president announced that Lebanese Ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadé Mouawad, will participate in a meeting in Washington on Thursday evening.

Aoun said she will push for an extension of the ceasefire and demand a halt to the destruction of homes and attacks targeting civilians, medical personnel, journalists, and places of worship. He added that the meeting will also address recent violations of the current truce.

Aoun highlighted the renewed US focus on Lebanon as a positive step, noting it opens the door for potential economic recovery and reconstruction.

He expressed a desire to visit Washington for an in-person meeting with President Trump to discuss the situation in detail, noting that Trump had expressed sympathy and affection for Lebanon during their phone call.

Read more: Lebanon-'Israel' talks separate from Iran war, Lebanese president says

Domestic and humanitarian issues

On the domestic front, Aoun thanked allied and friendly nations for their continued humanitarian aid for displaced citizens. Emphasizing his responsibility to end the war, he cited the widespread exhaustion among the Lebanese people.

He referenced recent meetings with the families of state security personnel killed in Nabatieh, stating that citizens are tired and desire an end to "wars that lead nowhere and do not achieve sustainable stability."

Additionally, Aoun proposed domestic economic relief measures during the cabinet session. He suggested raising the transportation allowance for public sector employees to offset rising oil prices, alongside issuing a one-time exceptional financial grant.