Beirut: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, stressed that "Israel must realize that the only path to security is through negotiations, but it must first fully implement the ceasefire before moving on to negotiations."
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, President Aoun revealed, "We are awaiting the United States to set a date to begin negotiations," noting that "the Lebanese file is now on the desk of the U.S. President, and this is an opportunity that we must seize to move our country toward the shores of safety and peace."
As for the criticism that Lebanon had agreed, through the U.S. statement issued following the trilateral talks in Washington, to grant Israel freedom to continue its attacks on Lebanon, President Aoun said, "this statement was issued by the US State Department, and it is the same text that was adopted in November 2024 and approved by all parties."
President Aoun's words came during his meeting this afternoon at the Presidential Palace with a delegation from the Lebanese Economic Bodies, headed by its President, former Minister Mohammad Choucair.
The delegation reaffirmed their support for President Aoun and voiced their confidence in his positions. The delegation also expressed their belief that the tremendous efforts being made by the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister will lead the country to safety, noting that "Lebanon now enjoys Arab, regional, and international support thanks to your positions."
While the delegation emphasized the importance of the state in ensuring stability for its citizens, they expressed their readiness to provide whatever is necessary to strengthen its role on all levels.