BEIRUT — In a pointed interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Friday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun sharply criticized Hezbollah and the Iranian government, asserting that the Lebanese populace is “not [Hezbollah leader] Naim Qassem’s people.”
President Aoun described the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel as “futile,” noting that the Lebanese civilians he has consulted are “fed up” with the cycle of violence. “They deserve not seeing their homes destroyed every five to ten years,” Aoun said. He further accused Iran of using Lebanon as a “bargaining chip” in its negotiations, stating, “It’s not your country, it’s our country.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam echoed these sentiments, accusing the Iranian regime of bringing “destruction and ruin” to Lebanon. Salam pointed to Iran’s rejection of a recent ceasefire framework as evidence that the conflict is being waged on Lebanese soil at the expense of its residents.
A Diplomatic Impasse
The rhetoric follows a week of intensive negotiations in Washington, where representatives from the U.S., Israel, and Lebanon convened to discuss a ceasefire. On Thursday, the U.S. State Department announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a framework contingent on Hezbollah ceasing attacks and evacuating the area south of the Litani River. The proposal includes the establishment of “pilot zones” where the Lebanese army would exercise exclusive control, excluding non-state actors.
Despite the diplomatic push, Hezbollah remains defiant. In a written statement on Thursday, Naim Qassem characterized the talks as “surrender,” declaring that “as long as the occupation exists, the resistance will continue.” Israeli officials reported on Tuesday that Hezbollah continued fighting despite previous promises to U.S. President Donald Trump to halt operations.
Significance and Outlook
The divide between the Lebanese government’s pursuit of a negotiated settlement and Hezbollah’s rejection of the U.S.-backed framework highlights a deepening internal rift. President Aoun emphasized that he remains committed to negotiations, which he described as a “huge opportunity” for both Lebanon and Israel. He directed a question toward the Israeli public, asking if they truly desire to live in “perpetual war,” while warning that a failure to commit to negotiations would prevent future peace, safety, and security.
Looking ahead, the situation remains precarious. Aoun has indicated he will only meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once a formal agreement is reached. If the ceasefire framework cannot be reconciled with Hezbollah’s continued military stance, the region may face a prolonged stalemate. Conversely, should the Lebanese government successfully assert control over the proposed “pilot zones,” it could potentially serve as a pathway toward a broader security agreement. However, as long as non-state actors continue to reject the terms established in Washington, the prospect of a lasting peace remains uncertain.
