Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared on Friday that any direct negotiations with the Zionist entity were contingent upon crucial preconditions, a day after former US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between the two sides and a prospective meeting between their leaders. This announcement comes amidst ongoing regional tensions and the persistent occupation of Lebanese territories.

In a statement released by the presidency, Aoun underscored that while a ceasefire could serve as a gateway, “direct negotiations are crucial” only if they unequivocally lead to the fulfillment of Beirut’s fundamental objectives. He reiterated that Lebanon’s unwavering goal remains to “consolidate a ceasefire, secure the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied southern territories, recover all Lebanese prisoners held by the Zionist regime, and definitively address outstanding border disputes.”

Significantly, the details of the truce agreement, as disseminated by the US State Department, conspicuously failed to mention the imperative withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese soil. This omission raises serious concerns regarding the true intentions behind such agreements and highlights the ongoing struggle for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against the occupying power.