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Lebanon's President Aoun: Why Diplomacy With Israel Is the Only Path

Lebanon's president is making a strong case for diplomatic engagement with Israel. He argues that negotiations are inevitable when military conflict reaches a deadlock. Aoun is calling for national unity to transcend political and sectarian divisions. This comes amid ongoing border tensions despite a ceasefire agreement.

Key Points: Lebanon President Aoun Calls for Israel Negotiations Amid Tensions

  • Aoun states diplomacy must prevail when war leads nowhere
  • He emphasizes national interest over sectarian divisions
  • Lebanon's army was ordered to respond to Israeli incursions
  • US-French brokered ceasefire remains fragile with ongoing violations
2 min read

Lebanese president calls for diplomacy with Israel amid border tensions

President Joseph Aoun says Lebanon must negotiate with Israel, emphasizing diplomacy over war amid ongoing border tensions and ceasefire violations.

"Every war in the world eventually ends with negotiations, and negotiation is never with a friend or ally, but with an enemy. - Joseph Aoun"

Beirut, Nov 4

Lebanon has no choice but to negotiate with Israel, President Joseph Aoun said, stressing that diplomacy should take precedence over war, according to a statement from the presidency.

"In politics, there are three tools: diplomacy, economy, and war. When war leads nowhere, what else can we do? Every war in the world eventually ends with negotiations, and negotiation is never with a friend or ally, but with an enemy," Aoun said on Monday, during a meeting with officials at Baabda Palace.

He added that "the language of negotiation is more important than the language of war, which we have seen only brings destruction," and praised the diplomatic efforts of Lebanon's leadership, including Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Aoun emphasised that Lebanon's national interest must take precedence over political, religious, and sectarian considerations. He urged politicians to prioritize national unity over electoral ambitions and to move beyond sectarian divisions that have long undermined the country's stability, Xinhua news agency reported.

In late October, Aoun ordered the Lebanese army to respond to any Israeli incursions in the south following a deadly raid on the border village of Blida, a move welcomed by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem.

A US- and French-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in effect since late November last year, halting months of cross-border hostilities triggered by the war in Gaza.

Despite the truce, Israel has continued to carry out occasional strikes in Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah "threats." Lebanon and several international organizations have condemned the attacks as violations of the ceasefire.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As an Indian who values peace, I appreciate this mature approach. Our own history shows that diplomacy often works better than conflict. Hope both sides can find common ground.
A
Arjun K
Good to see leaders prioritizing national interest over sectarian politics. Lebanon has suffered enough from internal divisions. Maybe this could be a lesson for our own regional politics too.
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Sarah B
While I support peace, I'm concerned about the timing. With continued Israeli strikes, is this really the right moment for negotiations? Lebanon should ensure its sovereignty is protected first.
V
Vikram M
The President is absolutely right - every war eventually ends with talks. Better to start negotiations early and save lives. This is the kind of leadership the Middle East needs right now. 🙏
M
Michael C
Interesting perspective. In India, we've seen how dialogue can resolve even the most complex border issues. Hope Lebanon's call for diplomacy is met with genuine willingness from all sides.

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