Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said there will be no meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu until a security agreement is reached and Israeli attacks on Lebanon come to an end. He stressed that the timing is not appropriate for direct talks between the two leaders under current conditions.

According to a statement from his office, Aoun said Lebanon must first secure a deal that addresses ongoing security concerns before any high level meeting can take place. The position comes as the United States has sought to facilitate such a meeting.

Aoun noted that a third meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington is expected in the coming days. He said Lebanon is ready to accelerate negotiations and emphasized that there is no alternative to dialogue, while calling for national unity during the process.