Lebanon's leadership split widens over direct talks with Israel

Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi  

Efforts to forge a unified leadership stance in Lebanon have faltered amid widening disagreements between top officials over negotiations with Israel, despite regional mediation attempts.

A proposed tripartite gathering between President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, encouraged by Saudi envoy Prince Yazid bin Farhan, has yet to materialize. Salam, who has previously expressed reservations about the "troika" concept, is said to have reluctantly accepted the idea under Saudi pressure aimed at preserving government cohesion.

However, the core dispute lies between Baabda, which supports launching direct negotiations with Israel, and Ain el-Tineh, which opposes such a move. President Aoun has insisted that any negotiations must be preceded by a firm ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continued military operations in Lebanon, including strikes, destruction, and displacement, citing what he says are understandings reached with the United States and Lebanon. Analysts suggest these actions reflect a U.S. State Department statement issued in April that affirmed Israel's right to self-defense.

However, Lebanon rejects this interpretation. In a response seen as directed at Netanyahu, Aoun pointed to another clause in the same framework, which prohibits Israel from carrying out offensive operations against Lebanese targets—whether civilian, military or state infrastructure—on land, at sea or in the air.

The political divide extends beyond state institutions. 

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem launched a sharp attack on the Lebanese leadership, accusing what he described as "advocates of surrender" of accepting minimal gains at the expense of national sovereignty. He reiterated that Hezbollah rejects direct negotiations with Israel.

Qassem's remarks came shortly before Aoun addressed a gathering of municipal leaders from Hasbaya and Arkoub. While not directly responding, the president raised the tone of his speech, rejecting accusations of betrayal and arguing that "true betrayal" lies in dragging the country into war for external interests.

Aoun also challenged critics of negotiations, asking whether those who led Lebanon into conflict had secured national consensus at the time. He reaffirmed that Lebanon would not accept a "humiliating agreement," outlining key national demands: Israeli withdrawal, an end to hostilities, the return of detainees, border demarcation, and the establishment of exclusive state authority in the south.

With positions hardening and divisions widening, it remains unclear whether Lebanon's leaders can bridge their differences and present a unified stance, or whether political formulas will once again be used to mask deep disagreements.