Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said planned negotiations with Israel are intended to end ongoing hostilities and bring an end to the Israeli presence in southern Lebanon. He stated that the talks aim to secure the deployment of the Lebanese army along the internationally recognized southern border.

Aoun appointed former Lebanese ambassador to the United States Simon Karam to lead the delegation in the bilateral negotiations. He emphasized that the discussions would focus specifically on issues between Lebanon and Israel.

The president also clarified that the talks would be separate from any other regional diplomatic efforts, including discussions involving the United States and Iran related to the broader Middle East conflict.