Lebanese Leadership Coordinates First Direct Peace Negotiations With Israel in Decades

President Joseph Aoun and PM Nawaf Salam discuss direct negotiations with Israel following the 10-day ceasefire. Read about the push for "permanent agreements."

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 9:40 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from AFP and The Times of Israel

Strategic Consultations in the Post-Ceasefire Phase

President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met at the Baabda Palace on Saturday to assess the stability of the current 10-day truce and coordinate the state’s diplomatic strategy. The discussion focused on a "readiness assessment" for upcoming face-to-face negotiations intended to resolve the conflict that escalated in March 2026. This administrative coordination follows the implementation of a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, which came into effect at midnight on Thursday and effectively paused six weeks of intensive cross-border warfare.

Aoun Rebuts Sovereignty Concerns Over Direct Dialogue

In a nationally televised address preceding the meeting, President Aoun clarified that engaging in direct diplomacy does not constitute a "concession" or a sign of national weakness. The President emphasized that the upcoming negotiations are aimed at securing Lebanon’s territorial rights and establishing long-term stability rather than compromising on principles of sovereignty. This rhetoric was a direct response to criticism from Hezbollah, which has historically rejected direct recognition or negotiation with the Israeli state.

Divisions Deepen Between State Institutions and Hezbollah

The government’s decision to pursue direct talks has exposed a profound rift within the Lebanese political landscape. While the executive branch under Salam has moved to ban non-state military activities in light of the current war, Hezbollah leadership has characterized the move as a "surrender" to American pressure. Naim Qassem, the group's leader, has publicly called for the cancellation of the talks and vowed that the "resistance" would not abide by any agreements made in Washington or elsewhere that threaten its military autonomy.