Aoun, Salam meet at Baabda over southern escalation

• Lebanon holds emergency security meeting at Presidential Palace
• Leaders condemn 'Israeli' strikes in south Lebanon
• Officials reiterate priority of full ceasefire
• Lebanon prepares for June 2–3 negotiations

Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun received Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam at Baabda Palace on Saturday afternoon for high-level talks focused on the country's worsening security landscape and the humanitarian crisis stemming from ongoing military actions.

According to an official statement released by the Lebanese Presidency, the two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of the overall situation in the country, with primary focus dedicated to the expanding footprint of 'Israeli' operations across southern Lebanon.

Condemning Tyre, Nabatieh destruction

The deliberations centered heavily on the security developments unfolding in southern cities and villages, particularly within the heavily impacted Tyre and Nabatieh districts.

President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam sharply rebuked what they termed condemned 'Israeli' practices, documenting a systematic campaign of house demolitions, widespread land bulldozing, and the deliberate destruction of Lebanon's historic landmarks.

The executive leadership also addressed the severe psychological and economic toll being inflicted on civilian populations, pointing directly to ongoing military threats and repeated evacuation orders forcing citizens to abandon their homes and livelihoods.

In response, Aoun and Salam agreed to immediately intensify domestic and international communications to force an end to the actions.

Washington talks review

A critical portion of the Baabda Palace meeting was dedicated to evaluating the recent tripartite military summit held in Washington, which brought together Lebanese, American, and 'Israeli' military delegations.

During their assessment of those deliberations, the two presidents affirmed that the Lebanese delegation successfully maintained its core diplomatic mandate: prioritizing an immediate and unconditional ceasefire above all other operational terms.

This strategic review serves as the baseline for Lebanon's diplomatic strategy moving forward.

The presidency noted that Aoun and Salam extensively mapped out the ongoing preparations and structural parameters for the next formal round of negotiations, which are officially scheduled to take place on June 2 and 3.

Managing displacement crisis

Beyond the international diplomatic track, the meeting addressed pressing internal security and humanitarian obligations.

The leaders reviewed the general domestic security situation and analyzed the daily logistical updates regarding the care, housing, and tracking of the thousands of Lebanese citizens who have been forcibly displaced from their properties and hometowns due to the conflict.