Lebanese president says ceasefire is an opportunity for stability
April 17, 2026
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has called on the people in his country to see the ceasefire with Israel as an opportunity to promote stability and...
In a televised address to the nation, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared that a new, U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Israel presents an opportunity to transition towards permanent agreements that could bring stability to the country. The halt in hostilities, which began overnight, follows six weeks of intense conflict between the Israeli military and Hezbollah militants that has devastated large parts of Lebanon. Aoun described the moment as a "new phase" for Lebanon, asserting that his government had reclaimed the country's decision-making power and would no longer be "an arena for anyone's wars."
The 10-day truce was agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel on April 16, 2026, intended to stop the fighting and create a path for further negotiations. The recent war, which started on March 2, 2026, after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, is part of a wider regional conflict. The fighting has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with over 2,000 people killed and more than a million displaced from their homes. In response to the initial Hezbollah attacks, the Lebanese government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the actions and banned the group's military activities.
In his speech, President Aoun outlined his objectives, which include a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, the extension of the Lebanese state's authority over all its territory exclusively through its own forces, and the safe return of prisoners and displaced families. While not directly mentioning the disarmament of Hezbollah, Aoun was clear that following an Israeli withdrawal, no armed force other than the official army and security services would be permitted in southern Lebanon. The president thanked the United States and other international partners for their roles in achieving the ceasefire.
The situation on the ground remains tense and fragile. The agreement allows Israel to act in self-defense, and its forces remain deployed inside southern Lebanon during the truce. Hezbollah, which is not a formal signatory to the state-level agreement, has stated it will respond to any violations, creating uncertainty about the ceasefire's durability. The militant group has cautioned displaced citizens against rushing back to their homes in the south. For its part, the Israeli army announced the lifting of wartime restrictions across Israel.
Looking ahead, the next steps involve what President Aoun called "delicate and crucial" negotiations for a more lasting settlement. This path is complicated by deep divisions within Lebanon, where direct talks with Israel are highly controversial and could fuel internal tensions. The ceasefire's success and the potential for a long-term peace are also set against the backdrop of the planned withdrawal of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate is scheduled to end in December 2026, raising further questions about the future security of the volatile border region.
Source: yahoo