Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said contacts with the United States are focused on extending the current ceasefire with Israel and launching negotiations aimed at ending the longstanding state of war between the two countries. Ahead of a second round of talks in Washington, he emphasized that Lebanon seeks to halt attacks on civilians and infrastructure and to address ongoing violations of the truce.

Aoun made clear that there has been no consideration of a direct meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lebanese officials say the renewed diplomatic engagement signals that Lebanon has returned to the forefront of the United States agenda, and the president expressed hope that progress in negotiations could pave the way for economic recovery and reconstruction.

Despite a ten-day truce announced after initial talks earlier this month, clashes and violations have continued, with casualties and widespread displacement reported in Lebanon. The ceasefire framework allows Israel to act in self-defense, while Hezbollah has criticized the government for entering direct negotiations without broad consensus.

Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said the talks reflect Lebanon's effort to restore full sovereignty and ensure that decisions on war and peace rest solely with the state. He stressed that negotiations are intended to resolve border, security, and humanitarian issues, and argued that consolidating state authority is essential to achieving lasting stability and ending the conflict.