Lebanon President Slams Hezbollah Over Rejection of Israel Talks

27/04/2026

BEIRUT, Apr 27: President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, on Monday sharply criticized Hezbollah for rejecting direct negotiations with Israel, warning against dragging the country into conflicts serving external interests.

In a strongly worded statement, Aoun said Lebanon’s decision to pursue talks with Israel should not be viewed as “treason,” arguing instead that true betrayal lies in “taking the country to war to achieve foreign interests.” Without naming Hezbollah directly, he questioned whether there had been any “national accord” when the Iran-backed group entered into conflict last month.

Tensions escalated after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel on March 2, shortly after joint actions by the United States and Israel against Iran. The ensuing fighting has reportedly left more than 2,500 people dead, over 7,000 wounded, and displaced more than one million others.

Aoun also raised concerns about the toll on civilians in southern Lebanon, asking how long the population would continue to “pay the price” for wars linked to broader regional agendas, including conflicts tied to Gaza and Iran.

“I totally reject this war” when it serves the interests of others, Aoun said, emphasizing the need to prioritize Lebanon’s stability.

The president reiterated his support for ending the state of war with Israel through a framework similar to the 1949 Armistice Agreements, which maintained calm along the border for years without formal normalization.

“Was the armistice agreement humiliation? I will not accept reaching a humiliating deal,” Aoun added.