Lebanon urges renewed talks as Israel presses deadly attacks

2026-03-09 - 11:32

President Joseph Aoun announced Monday that Lebanon is prepared to re-enter negotiations aimed at stopping Israeli military escalation, delivering the message to major powers and the United Nations. Speaking during a meeting with ambassadors from Denmark, Sweden and Norway, Aoun emphasized that Israeli attacks will fail to accomplish their goals. "I informed the major powers and the United Nations of Lebanon's full readiness to resume negotiations and discuss the necessary security measures to stop Israel's dangerous escalation," he said, according to Lebanon's state news agency NNA. Beirut reaffirms ceasefire commitment as violations mount Aoun reiterated Lebanon's firm position reflected in last week's Cabinet decision, expressing full commitment to the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024. The accord, intended to preserve peace and stability, requires Israel to halt its attacks across all Lebanese territory in exchange for Lebanon's compliance. Despite the agreement with Hezbollah, Israeli forces have continued near-daily strikes that have killed more than 400 people and displaced thousands since Monday alone, undermining the fragile calm established months ago. Regional war engulfs Lebanon as Iran conflict expands The current escalation follows the broader regional conflagration triggered by the US-Israeli joint attack on Iran, which has killed over 1,200 people including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf nations hosting American military assets. Lebanon has been drawn into the widening conflict as cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah intensify, threatening to open another front in a war that already encompasses multiple countries. For Türkiye, the expanding confrontation poses risks of further regional destabilization with potential implications for security and economic ties.