Lebanese president hopes Rome talks will spur Israeli withdrawal

Lebanese President Michel Aoun expressed hope that this week's meetings in Rome between representatives of Israel, Lebanon, and the United States will result in "concrete measures" paving the way for the Israeli army's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Aoun conveyed this sentiment during a meeting with Sigrid Kaag, the former UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon.

He anticipates that the negotiations scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in the Italian capital will yield practical outcomes on the ground, according to the Lebanese National News Agency. While previous rounds of talks mediated by the U.S. in Washington aimed to end the conflict, logistical reasons have prompted the relocation of these discussions to Rome.

Aoun stressed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must recognize that "war will not achieve security." He argued that stability can only be attained through negotiation, warning that the ongoing conflict will inevitably lead to more deaths, destruction, and displacement. The Lebanese president urged Israel to alter its strategy if it seeks to guarantee its population's safety and regional stability.

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the war will not achieve security

In a separate meeting, Aoun asserted that the Lebanese army and state are the sole institutions capable of protecting citizens, transcending political factions or sectarian divisions. He reiterated that shared Lebanese priorities include the Israeli withdrawal, the return of displaced individuals, the repatriation of prisoners and remains, and the country's reconstruction. He believes these objectives should be pursued politically, given the "failure of war."

Aoun also announced his intention to request that U.S. President Donald Trump pressure Israel to adhere to commitments within the framework agreement and address Beirut's demands, leveraging Washington's interest in promoting peace in the Middle East. He affirmed that he would not compromise on Lebanon's southern territories or rights and reiterated demands for Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese soil and a formal declaration of non-intervention.

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the army and the state are the only institutions capable of protecting the Lebanese