Lebanese President defends US direct peace talks

• Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun says a ceasefire must come first before any U.S.-mediated talks.
• He rejects “treason” claims, urging critics to await the talks’ outcome.
• He questions whether those who pulled Lebanon into war had national consensus.
• He says his goal is ending the war with ‘Israel’ via a formal armistice.

Amid intense domestic polarization and ongoing regional conflict, the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun delivered a forceful defense of his administration's diplomatic efforts to secure peace.

In a series of pointed statements, he pushed back against criticism from Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, outlining his vision for ending the hostilities with 'Israel'.

Ceasefire as a Prerequisite

Addressing the ongoing diplomatic ceasefire efforts, the President emphasized that his government has established clear preconditions for formal peace talks.

"We informed Washington from the first moment that a ceasefire is a necessary first step for any subsequent negotiations," he stated, signaling that Lebanon will not engage in broader geopolitical bargaining while under fire.

Pushing Back on 'Treason' and 'Surrender'

The President dedicated much of his address to dismantling accusations from Hezbollah leader who have framed the government's willingness to negotiate as a capitulation.

"What we are doing is not treason," the President declared. Turning the accusation against Qassim utilizing Lebanese territory for external proxy conflicts, he added, "Treason is committed by those who take their country to war to achieve foreign interests."

He further dismissed claims that the state was entering talks from a position of weakness. "Some claim that we went to negotiate in surrender, and we tell them: wait for the negotiations to begin and judge the result."

The Question of National Consensus

Highlighting the deep political fractures within Lebanon, Aoun called out the double standards regarding the state's authority to make decisions on war and peace.

Addressing Hezbollah that claim his government lacks the mandate to negotiate, he asked a pointed rhetorical question:

"Some say we decided to negotiate without national consensus, but did those who went to war go with a national consensus?"

An Armistice with 'Israel'

Laying out the ultimate objective of his diplomatic push, the President referenced history to justify a formal end to the current hostilities.

"My goal is to end the state of war with 'Israel', similar to the armistice agreement," he revealed. Pushing back against Hezbollah statements that view any pact as a defeat, he challenged his critics: "Was that agreement a humiliation?"