Aoun says 'necessary to negotiate' with Israel

President Joseph Aoun on Monday called for negotiations with Israel, after U.S. President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire in Gaza.

"The Lebanese state has previously negotiated with Israel under American and United Nations auspices, resulting in an agreement to demarcate the maritime border... so what prevents the same thing from happening again to find solutions to the outstanding issues," Aoun said according to a presidency statement.

"Today, the general atmosphere is one of compromise, and it is necessary to negotiate. As for the shape of this negotiation, it would be decided when the time comes," the president added.

Calling for an end to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon “so that the course of negotiations can begin,” Aoun said Lebanon “cannot be outside the current course in the region.”

“It is a course of settling crises and we have to be part of it, seeing as we can no longer bear further war, destruction, killing and displacement,” the president added.