May 05 (V7N) -Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that a security agreement and an end to Israeli attacks must come before any meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite Washington’s push for direct talks.  

Aoun’s office issued a statement stressing that “the timing is not appropriate now for a meeting,” reiterating that Lebanon must first secure a deal to halt Israeli strikes. His remarks follow two rounds of US-mediated talks in Washington last month, the first such meetings in decades, after Hezbollah’s entry into the Middle East war on March 2 triggered heavy Israeli bombardments and a ground invasion.  

US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon beginning April 17, later extended for three weeks. Preparatory discussions are expected to resume soon, with Trump previously expressing hope that Aoun and Netanyahu would meet jointly with him at the White House.  

The prospect of direct negotiations has divided Lebanon. Hezbollah has rejected the idea, warning it would place the country “under tutelage.” Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem called direct talks a “gratuitous concession” and urged diplomacy focused on ending the war.  

Aoun, however, insisted Lebanon has “no other option” but negotiations, aiming to secure Israeli troop withdrawal. US Ambassador Michel Issa also encouraged Aoun to meet Trump and Netanyahu, saying it would allow Lebanon to present demands clearly, particularly on sovereignty.  

Israeli strikes have killed nearly 2,700 people in Lebanon, including dozens since the ceasefire began, underscoring the urgency of talks.  

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