Lebanese president: Ceasefire must come before any negotiations with Israel

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has rejected criticism from Hezbollah over plans to engage in indirect talks with Israel, questioning whether those who initiate wars ever first secure national consensus.

In a statement published on the social media platform X, Aoun responded to remarks by Hezbollah Secretary-General Naeem Qassem, who accused the Lebanese authorities of preparing negotiations without broad domestic agreement, Caliber.Az reports.

الرئيس جوزاف عون امام وفد من حاصبيا والعرقوب:

- ابلغنا الجانب الاميركي القائم بمساعيه مشكوراً، ومنذ اللحظة الأولى ان وقف إطلاق النار هو خطوة أولى ضرورية  لأي مفاوضات لاحقة وهذا ما كررناه في الجلستين اللتين عقدتا على مستوى السفراء في ١٤ و٢٣ نيسان، وهو ما كان قد ورد بشكل واضح في… pic.twitter.com/EsEa93JsWu

— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) April 27, 2026

Aoun said Lebanon had consistently maintained that a ceasefire must be the first step before any negotiations, adding that this position had been reiterated at diplomatic meetings held on April 14 and 23. He also referred to statements attributed to the United States Department of State, saying they reflected understandings that Israel would refrain from offensive operations on Lebanese territory by land, sea and air.

He stressed that Lebanon’s official position was limited to these agreements, dismissing other claims as unofficial.

Addressing domestic criticism, Aoun said: “Some criticise our decision to go to negotiations, citing a lack of national consensus. I ask: when you went to war, did you first have national consensus?”

He urged critics to await the outcome of any talks before passing judgment, and accused opponents of portraying negotiations as surrender.

Aoun also questioned the impact of repeated conflicts on southern Lebanon, arguing that residents had borne the cost of wars “fought on behalf of others”, including in support of Gaza and Iran. He said Lebanon should not be drawn into conflicts serving external interests.

“The duty I bear is to lead the country towards salvation,” he said, adding that his aim was to end the state of war with Israel through arrangements similar to a ceasefire agreement. He stressed that any deal must not be humiliating for Lebanon.

Earlier, Hezbollah had categorically rejected the possibility of direct negotiations with Israel and ruled out any discussion of disarmament, according to remarks by its Secretary-General Naeem Qassem.

He outlined a five-point framework for resolving the crisis, calling for an end to hostilities by land, sea and air, Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories, the release of prisoners, the return of displaced residents, and reconstruction of damaged areas, alongside broader rehabilitation efforts.

By Aghakazim Guliyev