Lebanese President Aoun said negotiations with Israel should be pursued instead of war to achieve the goals sought in the south of his country.
According to a statement by the Lebanese Presidency, Aoun said during a meeting with a delegation from the Lebanese General Maronite Council that negotiations were not progressing quickly because of various obstacles and difficulties. Despite this, he said negotiations were a better option than the destruction and tragedies caused by war.
Goals in the south and the negotiating option
Aoun said the sides shared the goals of liberating southern Lebanon, deploying the Lebanese army as far as the borders, bringing back prisoners, enabling residents to return to their homes and rebuilding the area.
Aoun said it had become clear that these goals could not be achieved through war and that there was no alternative to negotiations.
Combating corruption and economic reforms
The Lebanese president said they had launched an effort with the government to combat the corruption that had continued in the country for years. Aoun said they were also fighting groups that reject the concept of the state and expressed the goal of strengthening state institutions.
Aoun said the government had taken some steps as part of its economic and financial reforms. He said these steps were not yet sufficient, but that the country had recorded economic growth. Aoun said growth was expected to increase further during the year, adding that the war had eliminated this expectation.
Aoun said Lebanon had remained standing despite all these developments and that its institutions had continued to function. He said the country's state structure had been preserved despite the challenges it faced.
Toll of the attacks in Lebanon
Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon since March 2, 2026. Lebanese authorities say the attacks have killed 4,350 people, injured 12,307 and displaced more than 1 million.
The agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon on June 26 under U.S. mediation provides for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territory, the deployment of the Lebanese army in the areas and the disarmament of armed groups. Israel has continued its attacks despite the agreement.
