Former Lebanon president Michel Suleiman has expressed support for direct negotiations with Israel, saying Lebanon should not be left to shoulder the burden of ongoing conflict alone.
In remarks posted from Baabda Palace on the Lebanese presidency’s account on X, Suleiman said Beirut should consider direct talks, noting that regional countries including Egypt, Jordan, and Syria have all negotiated with Israel.
Suleiman argued that direct dialogue could prove more effective than decades of indirect negotiations, which he said have often been interrupted by conflicts launched without the approval of the Lebanese state.
He added that negotiations would align with international frameworks, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Taif Agreement, both of which emphasize the Lebanese government’s exclusive authority over the use of force.
His comments come after Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said earlier this month that the military and security activities of Hezbollah were banned, highlighting ongoing debate over armed groups and state authority in Lebanon.