Aoun Hints at Lebanese 'Options' if Israel Refuses to Resume Border Demarcation Negotiations

 President Michel Aoun meets with the US mediator of indirect negotiations for the demarcation of the Lebanese southern maritime borders, Ambassador John Desrocher. (NNA)
President Michel Aoun meets with the US mediator of indirect negotiations for the demarcation of the Lebanese southern maritime borders, Ambassador John Desrocher. (NNA)
TT
20

Aoun Hints at Lebanese 'Options' if Israel Refuses to Resume Border Demarcation Negotiations

 President Michel Aoun meets with the US mediator of indirect negotiations for the demarcation of the Lebanese southern maritime borders, Ambassador John Desrocher. (NNA)
President Michel Aoun meets with the US mediator of indirect negotiations for the demarcation of the Lebanese southern maritime borders, Ambassador John Desrocher. (NNA)

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun hinted at “many options” for Lebanon, if the Israelis did not respond to efforts to revive the negotiations to demarcate the maritime borders, asking the US mediator to “push towards fair and honest talks without preconditions.”

Held under the auspices and supervision of the United Nations, the indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel were suspended in May, following a fifth session held after a US intervention. But the discussions clashed with Israeli preconditions that toppled the sixth session, which was supposed to take place on May 5.

On Monday, Aoun met with the US mediator of indirect negotiations for the demarcation of the Lebanese southern maritime borders, Ambassador John Desrocher, who arrived in Beirut before a visit to Tel Aviv.

The Lebanese president stressed his country’s keenness to continue the indirect negotiations in Naqoura with US mediation, in order to reach an understanding that preserves the rights of the two sides based on international laws.

Aoun also asked Desrocher to push towards fair and impartial negotiations, without preconditions. He expressed hope that the US ambassador’s efforts would yield positive results, taking into account the new government change in Israel, which would require additional efforts to avoid further delays in the talks.

While he stressed “openness to the proposals presented within the framework of full Lebanese sovereignty on land and at sea,” Aoun noted that Lebanon has “several options in the event that the Israelis did not respond to the efforts made to move negotiations forward.”



Clerics Accuse West Bank Israeli Settlers of Attacking Christian Sites

Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
TT
20

Clerics Accuse West Bank Israeli Settlers of Attacking Christian Sites

Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)

Christian leaders accused Israeli settlers on Monday of attacking sacred sites in the West Bank, in violence that one said was forcing some to consider quitting the occupied territory.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III - visiting the Christian town of Taybeh with other Jerusalem-based clerics - said settlers had started a fire near a cemetery and a 5th century church there last week.

"These actions are a direct and intentional threat to our local community ... but also to the historic and religious heritage," the patriarch told diplomats and journalists at a press conference in Taybeh.

Settlers had also attacked homes in the area, he said.

"We call for an immediate and transparent investigation on why the Israeli police did not respond to emergency calls from the local community and why these abhorrent actions continue to go unpunished," he added.

Israel's government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Israel's government had previously said that any acts of violence by civilians are unacceptable and that individuals should not take the law into their own hands.

During the visit, the heads of the churches led locals in prayer as candles flickered in the ruins of the 5th century church of St George. They spoke with residents who described their fears.

B'Tselem and other rights groups say settler violence in the West Bank has risen since the start of Israel's war against Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza in late 2023.

Dozens of Israelis have also been killed in Palestinian street attacks in recent years and the Israeli military has intensified raids across the West Bank.

Palestinian health authorities and witnesses said two men, including a US citizen, were killed by settlers during a confrontation on Friday night.

Fears over violence were pushing Christians to leave the West Bank, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Roman Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, said.

"Unfortunately, the temptation to emigrate is there because of the situation," he added. "This time it's very difficult to see how and when this will finish, and especially for the youth to talk about hope, trust for the future."

Around 50,000 Christian Palestinians live in Jerusalem and in the West Bank, an area that includes many of the faith's most sacred sites including Bethlehem where believers say Jesus was born.

Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 war, which Palestinians see as part of a future state.