Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced Friday that the nation is entering a “new phase” of “permanent agreements” following the implementation of a 10-day Lebanon-Israel ceasefire.
- President Aoun asserts that Lebanon is no longer a “pawn” or an “arena” for foreign wars.
- The Lebanese government has committed to disarming Hezbollah and banning the group’s military activities.
- Direct diplomatic contact has resumed, including a recent meeting between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington.
In his first address to the nation since the truce, Aoun stated that the country is transitioning from a temporary ceasefire toward permanent agreements intended to preserve national sovereignty, land unity, and the rights of the people.
The president claimed that the Lebanese government has reclaimed its decision-making power for the first time in nearly half a century. “Today, we negotiate for ourselves,” Aoun said. “We are no longer a pawn in anyone’s game.”
Impact of the Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire
The conflict began on March 2, when the Iran-backed Hezbollah group attacked Israel to avenge the death of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with a ground offensive and waves of strikes.
The resulting war killed nearly 2,300 people and displaced more than one million residents. Since the swearing-in of President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the government has taken unprecedented steps against Hezbollah, including a commitment to disarm the group in August.
Hezbollah has remained the only group to keep its weapons following the 1975-1990 civil war, citing resistance against Israel. The group’s arms have frequently triggered internal crises within the politically divided country.
Diplomatic Engagements
President Aoun thanked Saudi Arabia and U.S. President Donald Trump for their roles in achieving the ceasefire. Trump indicated that he expects both Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the White House within the next four to five days.
The truce follows a historic meeting in Washington between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors, marking the first direct encounter between the two nations in decades.
Aoun defended these direct talks, stating they were “not a sign of weakness nor a concession.” He emphasized that negotiations would not result in the compromise of national principles or sovereignty.
National Objectives
The president outlined specific goals for the current diplomatic phase, including the total withdrawal of Israeli forces and the extension of state authority over all Lebanese territory exclusively through state forces.
Additionally, Aoun highlighted the need to ensure the return of prisoners and the return of displaced citizens to their homes and villages.
This effort follows a history of fragile agreements, including a 1983 withdrawal deal that was scrapped in 1984 and a 2022 maritime border agreement brokered by Washington.
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