In a pivotal moment for Middle East diplomacy, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has pledged total dedication to restoring calm ahead of the second US-brokered dialogue with Israel. With abnormal conditions straining the nation, Aoun drew a clear boundary: peace for civilians is sacrosanct.
Taking to social media platform X, Aoun articulated, ‘Preserving citizen peace at this critical phase of our history is a red line. We won’t hold back in purging the odd state of affairs in Lebanon.’
Addressing members of the Parliamentary Committee dedicated to safeguarding civilian assets and averting intentional sabotage, the president disclosed active negotiations to prolong the ceasefire. ‘Negotiations are underway to extend the ceasefire deadline, and I will leave no effort unused to terminate these peculiar challenges in Lebanon,’ he affirmed.
Aoun detailed the core objectives of the upcoming talks: ensuring complete cessation of Israeli strikes, full Israeli retreat from Lebanese lands, repatriation of detainees, positioning troops on the border, and kickstarting rebuilding efforts for devastations from the conflict.
Grateful for backing from President Trump’s administration and allied countries, Aoun cautioned, ‘We’ve received a chance from American support and our brothers and friends that we cannot let slip – it might not return.’
A key focus remains facilitating the dignified homecoming of those uprooted, particularly southerners battered by prolonged conflicts. ‘Exhausted by decades of strife, our people deserve this. The state commits all resources for a return filled with honor,’ he promised.
Context: The US-mediated truce began April 17 after 10 days of initial efforts spearheaded by Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio. Round two, proposed for April 23, could reshape the fragile border dynamics.
