Lebanon Pursues Permanent Peace Treaty as Ten Day Ceasefire With Israel Takes Effect

Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi seeks a permanent ceasefire and state control of weapons as a US-brokered 10-day truce begins between Lebanon and Israel.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 2:53 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency

A New Diplomatic Track for Sovereignty

During a high-level meeting in Beirut with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel on Friday, Youssef Raggi outlined Lebanon’s strategic objective to transition from temporary truces to a permanent negotiated settlement. The Foreign Minister emphasized that the current diplomatic efforts are designed to ensure the full restoration of Lebanese sovereignty and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied southern territories. According to Raggi, a central pillar of any lasting agreement must be the exclusive authority of the Lebanese state over its national defense, effectively ensuring that the government is the sole entity authorized to possess and utilize weapons within its borders.

International Support for the Lebanese Armed Forces

The meeting underscored the critical need for European and international assistance to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they prepare to assume security responsibilities in formerly contested areas. Raggi expressed his gratitude to Portugal for its consistent support in international forums and urged continued military aid to enhance the army’s capabilities. Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel reaffirmed Lisbon’s commitment to Lebanon’s territorial integrity, noting that the current negotiation track represents a unique opportunity to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable solution that could finally end the cyclical nature of the border conflict.

Implementation of the US Brokered Ceasefire

The diplomatic discussions took place as a 10-day cessation of hostilities, announced by US President Donald Trump, officially commenced at midnight local time. This temporary truce was established to create a window for direct negotiations between the two nations, which are being facilitated by US mediation in Washington. The agreement marks a significant departure from previous arrangements, as the Lebanese government has moved to separate its domestic security file from regional Iranian negotiations. While Israel has agreed to the pause, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israeli troops will remain in their current positions until a permanent security arrangement is finalized.