Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that direct negotiations with Israel were crucial, a day after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between the two countries and an upcoming meeting between their leaders.
“Direct negotiations are crucial… and a ceasefire is the gateway to proceeding with negotiations,” Aoun said in a statement shared by the presidency, reiterating that Beirut’s goal was to “consolidate a ceasefire, secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied southern territories, recover prisoners, and address outstanding border disputes”.
Details of the truce agreement shared by the US State Department did not mention the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
