Lebanon, on Friday (April 17, 2026), called for the temporary ceasefire with Israel announced a day earlier to turn into a permanent peace between the two nations.
Meanwhile, the United Nations welcomed the ceasefire announced between Israel and Lebanon, commending the role of the United States in facilitating the temporary truce in the West Asian war.
In Beirut, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that the ceasefire agreed to by his country should be transformed into “permanent agreements,” without saying whether he was referring to a prospective peace deal with Israel.
In the first televised address since the US brokered the ceasefire to end the six-week war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, Aoun thanked American President Donald Trump and other regional countries for helping to stop the fighting with Israel.
Israel and Lebanon would hold direct talks to produce “peace between the two countries,” according to the ceasefire agreement released by the US on Thursday (April 16).
“Now, we all stand before a new phase: the transition from working towards a ceasefire to working towards permanent agreements that preserve the rights of our people, the unity of our land, and the sovereignty of our nation,” the Lebanese President said.
Hezbollah has said it opposes direct talks with Israel, and its lawmakers on Friday (April 17) criticised the Aoun government for agreeing to hold such negotiations.
Without mentioning Israel, Aoun said, “These negotiations are not a sign of weakness, nor a retreat, nor a concession.”
His goal was to stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon and secure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory, he said.
Israel said on Friday (April 17) that its troops would continue to demolish homes in southern Lebanon that Hezbollah still used.
Aoun said he was prepared to “bear full responsibility for these choices, and I am ready to go wherever necessary to liberate my land, protect my people, and save my country.”
Meanwhile, in an X post, Guterres said, “I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel & Lebanon, and commend the role of the US in facilitating it.
“I hope this will pave the way for negotiations towards a long-term solution to the conflict & contribute to ongoing efforts toward a lasting & comprehensive peace in the region,” he said.
I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel & Lebanon, and commend the role of the US in facilitating it.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 16, 2026
I hope this will pave the way for negotiations towards a long-term solution to the conflict & contribute to ongoing efforts toward a lasting & comprehensive…
Guterres also called on all parties in the regional dispute to uphold the peace. “I urge everyone to fully respect the ceasefire and to comply with international law at all times,” he said.
Trump had previously described the ceasefire as a potential breakthrough, saying the discussion between Israel and Lebanon could mark a historic shift in regional hostilities.