Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 16, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Lebanese president stresses importance of a ceasefire before talks with Israel
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on February 16, 2026. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office/AFP)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stresses the importance of a ceasefire before any direct negotiations with Israel, ahead of possible talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Beirut has not confirmed will take place.
“The ceasefire requested by Lebanon with Israel is the natural starting point for direct negotiations between the two countries,” Aoun says in a statement.
His comments are the first on the matter today from a leader of one of the two countries. They came after US President Donald Trump announced that leaders of Israel and Lebanon would talk today.
Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel also said that Netanyahu and Aoun would speak today.
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
The Times of Israel Community.
JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY
Already a member? Log in here