BEIRUT
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that his initiative for direct negotiations with Israel remains in place, but the ongoing military escalation has prevented its launch.
“The negotiation initiative remains on the table, but the continued military escalation is obstructing its launch,” Aoun said during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, as cited by a presidency statement.
He stressed that a halt to hostilities “is necessary to create a suitable environment for talks.”
On March 9, Aoun called for direct negotiations with Israel under international auspices as part of an initiative aimed at establishing a full truce to stop all Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
The initiative includes logistical support for the Lebanese army “to enable it to take control of remaining tension areas, confiscate weapons, and dismantle the Lebanese group Hezbollah’s arms, warehouses, and depots.”
Aoun expressed his appreciation for the “distinguished role” played by French President Emmanuel Macron in supporting Lebanon, including through ongoing contacts with Lebanese, Syrian, and Israeli sides.
“The government is moving forward with implementing decisions related to the exclusivity of arms,” he said, noting that military escalation is hindering the full implementation of the army’s plan.
Barrot, for his part, expressed France’s readiness to work toward de-escalation based on Aoun’s initiative.
He described the initiative as “courageous,” saying it enjoys international support, “as it reflects a firm will to build a strong state that refuses to be drawn into a war it did not start.”
The Israeli army has escalated its airstrikes across Lebanon since early March amid cross-border attacks with Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire deal that has been in place since November 2024.
According to Lebanese authorities, at least 1,001 people have been killed and 2,584 injured in Israeli strikes across Lebanon since March 2.
The current escalation followed a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran, which has killed around 1,300 people since Feb. 28. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
* Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul.