The US Is Serious, Determined and Making Every Effort

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said his country will not back away from the "framework agreement" reached with Israel, expressing confidence in the US role in implementing the deal. According to Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA), Aoun received a delegation from The American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), which works to strengthen ties between Lebanon and the US. During the meeting, Aoun referred to his July 21 meeting in Washington with US President Donald Trump and the framework agreement that Lebanon is "working to fully implement.

"There are some difficulties within this framework, but we want to strengthen it, not step back, he said. "We trust the US, which is the sponsor of the agreement. The US is serious, determined and making every effort.

It has been extremely supportive of us. Aoun also highlighted negotiations with Israel, saying they expect a new round of talks to discuss how progress can be made, though no date has been set yet. "We started this initiative and we are committed to it because we have two options: war or diplomacy.

We stress that war will yield nothing. This situation can only be resolved through diplomacy, he said. Aoun described the Lebanese army as professional, disciplined and highly trained, adding that it needs the necessary capabilities and tools to carry out its duties.

He noted that Lebanon and Israel have held seven rounds of direct negotiations since April 14 — five in Washington and two in Rome, Italy. Regarding his talks with Trump, Aoun said they discussed US investments in Lebanon alongside the framework agreement, presenting a vision for a strategic partnership between the two countries in economic and security fields. On Israeli violations, he said Tel Aviv "thinks at a tactical level but overlooks the strategic level.

"Great destruction and killing of innocent people helps neither Lebanon nor the US. Israelis will never achieve their goals through force, he added. On relations with Iran, Aoun reiterated that ties between the two countries should be conducted on a "state-to-state" basis, grounded in mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs.

He also stressed Lebanon's importance to the US and its interests, saying regional stability cannot be achieved without stability in Lebanon and support for its army. The Israeli military launched intense airstrikes on Lebanon on March 2, targeting and occupying several towns in the country's south. According to Lebanon's Health Ministry data, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 4,346 people and wounded 12,301. The Lebanese government has said more than 1 million people have been displaced due to the attacks. A ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took effect on April 17 and was extended several times, but Israeli forces have continued strikes on southern Lebanon despite the truce.