Lebanon Links Israel Talks to Ceasefire, Rejects ‘Treason’ Claims
He explained that this position was communicated “from the very first moment,” underlining that halting hostilities is a prerequisite before any diplomatic engagement can begin, according to reports.
Addressing critics, Aoun pushed back against claims that pursuing dialogue lacks unified national backing. “Some blame us for deciding to move toward negotiations on the grounds that there is no national consensus. I ask: when you went to war, did you first have national consensus?” he said.
He also responded to accusations made ahead of any formal talks, noting that some have already portrayed the move as capitulation. "Even before the talks began, some started directing criticism and accusations of treason, claiming that we are entering the talks in a state of surrender. We say to them: wait until the negotiations begin, and then judge the outcome," he added, as stated by reports.
Aoun further argued that betrayal should be attributed to those who involve the country in conflict for outside agendas. “Treason is committed by those who drag their country into war to serve external interests," he added.
Reaffirming Lebanon’s objective to end the conflict with Israel, the president stressed that any potential agreement must preserve national dignity, saying he would not agree to a "humiliating" deal.
These remarks followed statements by Hezbollah leader Naem Qassem, who restated his group’s firm opposition to direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. According to reports, he described the move as an unjustified concession. “In this atmosphere of sacrifice and dignity and the defeat of the enemy, the (Lebanese) authority rushed into a humiliating and unnecessary free concession, whose only justification is submission,” Qassem claimed.
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