Lebanese President: Talks with Israel Aim to End War and Occupation
Lebanese President Aoun stated that upcoming talks with Israel aim to end the war and Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, and he has appointed a former ambassador to lead the delegation. These talks are separate from US-Iran diplomatic negotiations, and Hezbollah is not participating.
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- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 22:51
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 23:01 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 23:04 (2 min after Collected)
BEIRUT, April 20 (CNA) - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated today that the anticipated talks with Israel aim to end the war and Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon, and he has appointed a former ambassador to lead the negotiation delegation.
According to AFP, Aoun said in a statement, 'Choosing negotiation is to end the war, end Israel's occupation of the southern region, and fully deploy the (Lebanese) army to the internationally recognized southern border,' which is the border between Lebanon and Israel.
Following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, the war between Hezbollah and Israel, which has lasted over six weeks, has been suspended for 10 days starting from April 17.
Since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into this Middle East conflict last month, Israeli offensives have resulted in over 2,300 deaths and displaced over a million people.
Aoun appointed Lebanon's former ambassador to Washington, Simon Karam, to lead the negotiations with Israel, emphasizing that this mission belongs solely to Lebanon and will not be shared or replaced by any party.
Iran-backed Hezbollah is not participating in the negotiations, and its supporters strongly oppose bilateral consultations between Lebanon and Israel.
The Lebanon-Israel ceasefire is one of the conditions for Iran to resume negotiations with the US, but Aoun stated today that the Lebanon-Israel talks will be 'separate from any other negotiations,' seemingly alluding to diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran. (Compiled by: Hong Pei-ying) 04/20/2026
According to AFP, Aoun said in a statement, 'Choosing negotiation is to end the war, end Israel's occupation of the southern region, and fully deploy the (Lebanese) army to the internationally recognized southern border,' which is the border between Lebanon and Israel.
Following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, the war between Hezbollah and Israel, which has lasted over six weeks, has been suspended for 10 days starting from April 17.
Since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into this Middle East conflict last month, Israeli offensives have resulted in over 2,300 deaths and displaced over a million people.
Aoun appointed Lebanon's former ambassador to Washington, Simon Karam, to lead the negotiations with Israel, emphasizing that this mission belongs solely to Lebanon and will not be shared or replaced by any party.
Iran-backed Hezbollah is not participating in the negotiations, and its supporters strongly oppose bilateral consultations between Lebanon and Israel.
The Lebanon-Israel ceasefire is one of the conditions for Iran to resume negotiations with the US, but Aoun stated today that the Lebanon-Israel talks will be 'separate from any other negotiations,' seemingly alluding to diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran. (Compiled by: Hong Pei-ying) 04/20/2026