Lebanese President: Negotiations Require Ceasefire and Israeli Withdrawal

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared Monday that any negotiations with Israel must be conducted between two adversaries on equal footing, insisting that Beirut will not accept talks that bypass Lebanon's core demands: a full cessation of Israeli attacks, a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and the return of all Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.

Speaking in remarks broadcast by Al Jazeera Mubasher, Aoun framed the country's negotiating position as non-negotiable, pushing back against what Lebanese officials have described as Israeli attempts to exploit ongoing ceasefire discussions to entrench territorial and political gains. "Negotiations are conducted between two adversaries," Aoun said, stressing that Lebanon enters any dialogue from a position of sovereign rights, not concession.

The statement comes amid persistent Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon that Beirut says violate the November 2024 ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States and France. Lebanese officials have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of failing to complete their withdrawal from Lebanese border villages in accordance with the agreed timeline, a delay that has stalled the full implementation of the truce and inflamed tensions along the Blue Line.

The issue of Lebanese detainees held in Israeli prisons has emerged as a central sticking point, with Beirut demanding their release as an integral part of any political settlement. Lebanese authorities estimate that dozens of citizens remain in Israeli custody, many held without formal charges or trial.

Qatar, which played a significant diplomatic role in mediating the 2024 Gaza ceasefire and has maintained active channels with all parties across the Levant, is closely monitoring developments in Lebanon. Doha has consistently called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the south, as the foundation for lasting stability. Qatari officials have signaled readiness to support international mediation efforts should talks reach a critical juncture.

The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council have backed Lebanon's sovereign rights, urging Israel to honor its ceasefire commitments and warning that continued violations risk a broader regional escalation at a time when diplomatic efforts to stabilize the Middle East remain fragile.

President Aoun, who took office in January 2025 after a prolonged political vacuum, has sought to reassert Lebanese state authority over the country's security file, working in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces to extend government control over border areas as Israeli forces are expected to withdraw. His remarks Monday signal Beirut's intent to hold firm on its core conditions regardless of external pressure to soften its stance.