Lebanon awaits Israeli reply through US mediation: President Aoun
4 Min Read
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun says Beirut awaits Israeli reply via US mediation, stressing diplomacy over force and confirming army control in the South.
-
Lebanon President Joseph Aoun arrives for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the UN headquarters (AP)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed that Lebanon is still awaiting the response of the Israeli occupation, through the United States, to the negotiation proposal he advanced to liberate Lebanese territories.
Speaking on the matter, Aoun emphasized that “the logic of force is no longer useful; we must move toward the force of logic,” urging that dialogue and peaceful solutions remain Lebanon’s primary path toward securing its interests and safeguarding national stability.
Aoun: Hezbollah not active south of the Litani
The president reassured that Hezbollah “does not operate in the area south of the Litani River,” stressing that the Lebanese Army “is doing an exceptional job in the South and across all Lebanese regions.” He underlined that Lebanon is committed to protecting its land and rights through negotiation and diplomacy, rather than military escalation.
Addressing internal divisions, Aoun revealed that several US officials told him “some Lebanese who visit the United States spread poison against each other, becoming a source of harmful rumors.”
“Our problem,” he added, “is that some Lebanese no longer even spare themselves. I receive denials from American officials about what is being said. There is a group whose sole concern is to distort Lebanon’s image, going to Washington not to tell the truth, but to say what pleases them. They must tell the Americans the truth as it is, not what they want to hear—only then will they understand the reality.”
“No justification for claims of Lebanon being handed over to Syria”
Commenting on regional speculation, Aoun dismissed claims that Lebanon was being “handed over” to Syria as baseless, asserting that “the stability of Syria is essential for Lebanon’s stability.” He also reaffirmed that depositors’ rights remain a “red line that cannot be compromised.”
The president further noted that calls for a national dialogue before the upcoming parliamentary elections would amount to a “dialogue of the deaf,” reiterating his agreement with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on holding elections as scheduled.
He concluded by stressing that Parliament must fulfill its role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the electoral process, underscoring that Lebanon’s political future depends on institutional continuity and respect for democratic timelines.
Hezbollah's stance
As "Israel" resumes its assault on Lebanon in disregard of its legally binding requirements under the November agreement, the Islamic Resistance Hezbollah issued a firm open letter on Thursday as a response to the ongoing violations.
Formally addressing Lebanon’s top three leaders and people, Hezbollah reaffirmed its commitment to national unity, the protection of Lebanese sovereignty, and the preservation of internal stability. The movement expressed its intention to contribute to building a unified national stance in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression on Lebanon and persistent violations of the ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024.
Hezbollah emphasized that its position aims to thwart renewed efforts to drag Lebanon into indirect negotiations serving only the political and strategic goals of the Zionist entity and its international backers. The statement also underlined the group's continued dedication to resisting foreign pressure and safeguarding national dignity.
Hezbollah stated that while it and the Lebanese government have strictly adhered to the ceasefire, "Israel" continues to violate it by land, air, and sea. According to the group, these ongoing hostilities, combined with political blackmail, reflect the Israeli entity's intent to impose submission on Lebanon and extract concessions from it, in line with its interests in Lebanon and the region, as seen through its intent to annex the West Bank forcibly.
The group warned that the Zionist entity does not target Hezbollah alone but is actively working to undermine Lebanon as a whole. The aim, it stated, is to dismantle any capability of resistance, weaken the Lebanese state, and force submission to Zionist and Western interests.
