Aoun Stipulates Complete Ceasefire Before Direct Negotiations, Berri Reserves on His Statements

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, today, Wednesday, emphasized the necessity for Israel to commit to a comprehensive and complete ceasefire before engaging in any direct negotiations between the two sides. Aoun indicated that Beirut is currently awaiting Washington to set an official date for the start of this round of talks, stressing that stability will not be achieved through the continuation of military aggressions.

Aoun clarified in an official statement issued by the presidency that the Israeli side is deluded if it believes that destroying Lebanese border villages will bring it the desired security. He considered the negotiation path to be the only way to ensure calm, provided that all violations that followed the declaration of the cessation of hostilities are stopped, to prevent the continuation of field escalation.

In the context of internal coordination, the Lebanese President affirmed that all steps he has taken in the negotiation file have been in continuous consultation with the Speakers of Parliament and the Prime Minister. Aoun denied media reports about the presidency's sole decision-making, emphasizing the unity of the official Lebanese position in confronting external pressures and Israeli conditions.

Regarding the controversy surrounding Israel's 'freedom of movement,' Aoun clarified that what was stated in the recent American statement is a repetition of previous texts adopted in November 2024. He affirmed that this statement is not a binding agreement, but rather a framework for discussions, as final agreements are only concluded after completing all stages of direct negotiation and agreeing on the terms.

For his part, the media office of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was quick to respond to Aoun's statements, describing them as 'inaccurate.' Berri expressed reservations about what was mentioned regarding the November 2024 agreement and the mechanism for managing the negotiation file, reflecting clear differences in viewpoints between the poles of power in Lebanon regarding crisis management.

On the other hand, informed sources revealed the intentions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who seeks to extract explicit commitments from the Lebanese state. Through these pressures, Israel aims to push the Lebanese army to take responsibility for disarming Hezbollah in the next phase, as an essential part of any anticipated political settlement.

The sources indicate that Tel Aviv hopes to conclude an agreement within a timeframe not exceeding two weeks, which observers see as a very tight and unrealistic deadline given the complexities of the outstanding issues. The final picture of the Israeli position is likely to crystallize after Netanyahu's anticipated visit to the United States to discuss with the American administration.

The American role remains the primary driver on this front, as Washington's attention has shifted from relative disregard to intensive engagement in the Lebanese file. This shift comes after the escalation of military operations and the linking of field developments to broader regional issues, which prompted the American administration to try to contain the situation and prevent it from sliding into a comprehensive confrontation.

Israel must finally realize that the only path to security is through negotiations, but it must first implement a complete ceasefire.