Lebanese president calls for direct talks with Israel under international auspices

BEIRUT

Lebanon’s president on Monday called for direct negotiations with Israel under international auspices as part of an initiative based on establishing a full truce that would halt all Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Joseph Aoun also accused “an armed group outside the state” of causing the current state of war in Lebanon, saying that the launch of rockets from Lebanese territory was “a trap and an ambush” meant to provoke a broad Israeli response.

In a virtual meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Aoun said the country is facing a severe humanitarian situation, with more than 600,000 Lebanese displaced, “some of them on the roads without shelter or even the most basic necessities of life.”

“This was caused by attempts to destroy Lebanon by an aggressor who does not respect the laws of war or international laws, especially the international humanitarian law, and an armed group outside the state that does not give any weight to the interests of Lebanon or the life of his people,” he added.

Aoun called on the international community to support an initiative to establish a full truce and halt all Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

He also demanded logistical support to the Lebanese army "to enable it to control the areas of recent tension, confiscate all weapons, and disarm Hezbollah and its warehouses and depots."

“These steps must coincide with the start of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under international sponsorship, to implement all these details,” he added.

The Lebanese leader also expressed his country’s solidarity with countries facing Iranian attacks.

Israeli airstrikes have killed nearly 500 people and displaced thousands across Lebanon since March 2, amid cross-border attacks with Hezbollah.

The escalation flared up since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28, to date killing more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul