Aoun reportedly rejects direct call with Netanyahu, insists on ceasefire before any talks
President Joseph Aoun on Thursday stressed the importance of a ceasefire before any direct negotiations with Israel, ahead of possible talks with Israel's leader that Beirut has not confirmed will take place.
"The ceasefire requested by Lebanon with Israel is the natural starting point for direct negotiations between the two countries," Aoun said in a statement.
His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the "leaders" of Israel and Lebanon would talk on Thursday, which an Israeli minister confirmed.
Local media reports said that during a phone call on Thursday, President Aoun informed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that he refuses to speak directly with Netanyahu.
A statement from the president's office confirmed the call between Aoun and Rubio. It said Aoun thanked Rubio for Washington's efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon but did not mention the call with Netanyahu.
Lebanon's Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Moawad also confirmed the call with Rubio and said Netanyahu did not join the call.
Lebanese officials meanwhile told Reuters that the Lebanese embassy in Washington had informed the U.S. administration before the call between Aoun and Rubio that Aoun would not speak to Netanyahu.
Source: Agence France Presse
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