Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has announced Lebanon’s readiness to engage in negotiations aimed at long-term stabilization in the country’s south.
In a meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Mikati discussed developments in southern Lebanon and ongoing efforts to halt the war in Gaza.
Mikati reiterated his call for the international community to cease the Israeli aggression. He emphasized Lebanon’s pursuit of lasting stability, advocating for a permanent peaceful resolution.
However, he also expressed concerns about warnings from international envoys about a potential war on Lebanon.
Mikati stated, “The stance I repeatedly convey to these envoys is: Do you support the idea of destruction? And is what’s happening in Gaza acceptable?” He affirmed Lebanon’s willingness to enter negotiations for long-term stability in southern Lebanon and along the northern borders of occupied Palestine, committing to international resolutions and the ceasefire agreement, including UN Resolution 1701.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, in turn, urged all parties to de-escalate and support the Lebanese army in the south. He emphasized the importance of continued close cooperation between the army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
