According to Information Minister Paul Morcos, following a cabinet meeting at the Baabda Presidential Palace, Salam emphasized that the country is still in a preparatory phase of diplomatic contacts. “Lebanon has not yet begun negotiations, and we are still in the stage of preparatory meetings in Washington. Our priority remains a ceasefire so that we can move toward talks that address the root causes of the conflict,” the Prime Minister stated.

Morcos added that President Joseph Aoun is in contact with the Lebanese Ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, with the aim of intensifying efforts in Washington to pressure Israel to respect the truce.

The current ceasefire, which began on April 17 and was extended until May 17, has been repeatedly violated by Israel through bombings and attacks against towns in the south of the country, Lebanese authorities reported.

Meanwhile, Washington recently hosted two rounds of talks between representatives of Lebanon and Israel, considered the first of their kind in more than four decades, with the participation of diplomats from both sides.

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