President Aoun: This solution is achieved through negotiations and Israel is mistaken

President Joseph Aoun affirmed that "in every step I took concerning the negotiations, I was in coordination and consultation with the Speakers of Parliament and the Government, contrary to what is circulated in the media. As for the criticisms that Lebanon, through the American statement issued following the tripartite talks in Washington, agreed to grant Israel freedom to continue its aggressions against Lebanon, I say that these words appeared in a statement issued by the US State Department, and it is the same text that was adopted in November 2024, which all parties agreed to at the time. It is a statement, not an agreement, because an agreement is reached after the negotiations conclude."

He said before a delegation of economic bodies: "We are making every possible effort to reach a solution to the current situation, away from violence and bloodshed, and this solution is achieved through negotiations."

He added: "If Israel believes that through violations and the destruction of border villages, it can achieve security, then it is mistaken, because it tried that before and it did not lead to a result. The only thing that can protect the borders is when the Lebanese state, with its full strength, is present throughout the South and up to the international borders. Israel must definitively realize that the only path to security is through negotiations, but first, it must fully implement a ceasefire to then move to negotiations. There are many difficulties hindering us from achieving stability, and we are working as much as possible to alleviate the consequences of military aggressions against Lebanon, and we are making intensive contacts for that. Israeli aggressions should not continue as they are after the announcement of a ceasefire. We are now awaiting a date to be set by the United States to begin negotiations."

He continued: "All European Union countries and Arab countries have supported our choice for negotiations, and there is a consensus among the Lebanese people, especially the people of the South, on the necessity of ending the war."

President Aoun stressed that "the Lebanese file is now on the American President's table, who holds a special place for Lebanon. During the phone call between us, he praised Lebanon and its people in an impactful way, and this is an opportunity for us today that we must seize to lead our country to the shore of safety and peace."