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Aoun seeks permanent end
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Friday that “the time has come to end the war permanently” after what he described as a “fruitful” meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the Lebanese Presidency as carried by Türkiye Today.
Aoun made the remarks while receiving EU Ambassador Sandra De Waele and a delegation of ambassadors and charges d’affaires, and he said Lebanon remained committed to reforms and would continue working toward its goals despite the war.
Aoun also said the “continued presence of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) remains the best option for the coming phase,” adding that an alternative force should be established to replace UNIFIL if its continued presence was not possible.
Türkiye Today reported that Israel’s offensive on Lebanon has killed 4,329 people and injured 12,233 others since March 2, 2026, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, and that Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory during the current offensive.
The same report said Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon despite the agreement, with some areas held for decades and others taken during the 2023-2024 confrontations.
EU role and Hezbollah
EU Ambassador Sandra De Waele told Aoun that Lebanon was at a crossroads and entering a new chapter, and she said the EU supported Lebanon’s path toward security, stability and reforms, according to Türkiye Today.
Anadolu Ajansı reported that Aoun’s talks with Trump covered the implementation of the “Framework Formula” signed between Lebanon and Israel under American sponsorship, the completion of the Israeli withdrawal, and the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas from which Israeli forces withdraw.
Anadolu Ajansı also quoted Aoun urging the European Union to support the implementation of the Framework Formula and to prevent any obstruction to its application, arguing that it is the path to peace and stability in southern Lebanon.
Naharnet added that Aoun said Lebanon is committed to the path of reforms despite being under Israeli attacks since October 2023, when Hezbollah joined the Gaza war in support of Hamas and the Palestinian people.
Naharnet reported that Hezbollah branded Aoun’s visit a failure and said it showed the government’s submission to a foreign power, while Aoun said, “My meeting with President Trump was fruitful, and the time has come to bring a definitive end to the war,”.
Framework formula and next steps
Anadolu Ajansı said Aoun told the EU ambassador that ending the war would open the way to focus on economic, financial, banking, and judicial files, while stressing that security and political stability are essential prerequisites for the success of any economic path.
The Anadolu Ajansı account also said Aoun called for UNIFIL’s replacement if its continuation is not feasible, to ensure backing for the Lebanese army in clearing southern areas of mines and unexploded ordnance, and to accompany the implementation of the Framework Formula.
In the same Anadolu Ajansı report, Aoun said the Framework Formula provides for the completion of the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory in exchange for the Lebanese army’s deployment in border areas.
Naharnet said Aoun met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam earlier on Friday to discuss the latest developments, his Washington visit, and Salam’s recent visit to south Lebanon, and it also said Aoun met Tuesday with Trump in Washington.
Naharnet further stated that in November 2024 a ceasefire was reached but Israel kept up its attacks, especially on south Lebanon, and it said in March Hezbollah fired at Israel after the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei and said it was also retaliation for 15 months of Israeli violations.
