April 18, 2026
Lebanon president calls for permanent agreementspermanent agreements after Israel ceasefire
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared on April 17 that his country has entered a new phase after a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war, urging a shift to permanent agreements that protect national rights, land unity, and sovereignty. He affirmed readiness for direct talks with Israel, including preparations discussed with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on April 18, and thanked US President Trump for brokering the truce. Aoun emphasized Lebanon will no longer serve as a battleground for others and seeks Israeli withdrawal and state control over its territory.
This development signals potential diplomatic progress toward lasting peace between Israel and Lebanon, with Trump inviting Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for White House talks. It follows six weeks of fighting and could reduce regional tensions if negotiations succeed, though Hezbollah's stance on direct talks remains uncertain. Markets reflect high confidence in the ceasefire holding through late April.
Lebanese Government
Lebanon stands at a turning point to secure permanent agreements that end Israeli aggression, ensure full withdrawal from its territory, and restore state authority exclusively over all land. President Aoun stressed national sovereignty and the return of displaced people, rejecting any deal that compromises rights. The country now acts for its own interests, ending its role as a proxy battleground.
- Lebanon and Israel previously agreed to demarcate their maritime border in 2022 through US-brokered talks without direct communication.
- Aoun, a Maronite Christian and former army commander, was elected president in January 2026, ending a two-year political vacuum in Lebanon.
- The recent conflict lasted six weeks, with Israeli bombardment killing over 2,100 people and Hezbollah rocket fire killing 14 in Israel.
Israel-Hezbollah War in Lebanon
Israel has intensified airstrikes across southern Lebanon despite an ongoing ceasefire, killing dozens in a single day as of May 9 and targeting over 85 Hezbollah sites including weapons facilities and the commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force.
