US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa held talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam during a period of ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon. During the meetings, the US support for Lebanon and its state institutions was emphasized, and the parties agreed on the need to strengthen the fragile ceasefire. Aoun demanded the cessation of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The Washington administration is encouraging direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli leaders. US President Donald Trump announced plans to bring Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu together at the White House. However, this plan has caused political divisions in Lebanon; especially Hezbollah opposes face-to-face talks with Israel.
Saudi Arabia has also increased its diplomatic efforts for political stability in Lebanon. Riyadh proposed reviving a troika model that brings together the three presidential offices in Lebanon, setting conditions such as securing a ceasefire for negotiations and Hezbollah disarming. These proposals parallel the provisions of the 1989 Taif Agreement.
While ceasefire violations continue between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanese leaders have disagreements over the format and goals of direct negotiations. According to information from Baabda Palace, there are plans to establish an operations room that could include political and military figures to manage the negotiations. France states that broad political consensus is needed for direct talks but acknowledges that this is difficult in Lebanon.