Lebanese president meets with members of delegation to talks with Israel

Lebanese President Michel Aoun meets with the delegation of Lebanese officials set to begin maritime border talks with Israel tomorrow morning, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency.

Aoun seemingly rules out any chance that the talks could lead to further normalization with the Jewish state. Partially due to memories of a 1982 Israeli invasion and the subsequent 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon, Beirut has long taken a harsh stance on ties with Israel and has banned its citizens from communicating with Israelis.

“President Aoun stressed that these negotiations are technical and specific to the demarcation of maritime borders, and that discussions should be limited to this specific issue,” LNNA says.

“President Aoun expressed his hope that an equitable solution safeguarding the sovereign rights of the Lebanese people will be reached,” Aoun’s press office says in a statement.

— Aaron Boxerman