Aoun in Nabatieh: No New IAoun in Nabatieh: No New Israel Talks for Now
Aoun in Nabatieh delivered a message of state presence on Saturday as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made a surprise visit to the southern city, accompanied by Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal and the heads of the security agencies, days after an Israeli escalation heightened tensions in the area.
The visit went beyond security concerns. Amid damaged buildings and public institutions, Aoun linked the state’s presence to providing security and essential services and helping residents remain on their land, while addressing a key political question by stating that “there are no new negotiations with Israel at the present time.”
Aoun in Nabatieh: Security and Services
Aoun began his tour at the government headquarters in Nabatieh, inspecting damage from Israeli airstrikes. He then visited the damaged Banque du Liban building before walking to the Nabatieh municipality building with lawmaker Nasser Jaber and Mayor Abbas Fakhr al-Din.
The tour also included the Union of Municipalities of al-Shaqif and Nabatieh Governmental Hospital, where Aoun met officials and doctors and praised staff for maintaining healthcare services despite difficult conditions. He later traveled to Zawtar al-Gharbiya.
Aoun said the presence of the army commander and security chiefs was intended to tell residents, “We are by your side,” adding that authorities were working to provide security and services needed to help people remain in the area.
No New Israel Talks for Now
Aoun said there were no new negotiations with Israel at present and listed four issues as Lebanese national priorities: Israeli withdrawal, the return of prisoners, the return of displaced residents and reconstruction.
His remarks came after the next formal round of Lebanon-Israel talks, which had been scheduled for Rome the following week, was postponed until October. The postponement does not mean diplomatic contacts have ended. A U.S. official said the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors are expected to meet at the U.S. State Department in Washington next week to discuss developments and implementation of the framework agreement reached in June.
Lebanese Army Says Southern Deployment Continues
Haykal said the Lebanese Army maintains a permanent presence in Nabatieh and in Lebanese towns that have been liberated, expressing hope that the remaining towns would also be liberated and that the army would deploy there.
The visit followed an increased army deployment in Nabatieh and surrounding areas and a September 9 security meeting chaired by Aoun at Baabda Palace on conditions in southern Lebanon, particularly Nabatieh.
Why Nabatieh, and Why Now?
The visit came after days of Israeli strikes in Nabatieh and surrounding areas, alongside the military operation in the Ali al-Taher Heights and broader attacks across southern Lebanon.
Before the visit, Aoun had said the time had come for the state to return to the south and called on ministries to provide the resources needed to support residents. His appearance in Nabatieh alongside Lebanon’s military and security leadership reinforced that message, with the government emphasizing security, essential services and residents’ ability to remain on their land.
Politically, Aoun’s comments drew a distinction between the absence of new formal negotiations for now and the continuation of diplomatic contacts. Lebanon continues to list Israeli withdrawal, prisoners, the return of displaced residents and reconstruction among its priorities.
Sources
- Lebanese Presidency – Security meeting and developments in southern Lebanon and Nabatieh
- Nidaa Al-Watan – Aoun in Nabatieh: No New Negotiations With Israel at Present
- Al-Araby Al-Jadeed – Aoun’s Nabatieh Tour and Position on Negotiations
- Reuters – Lebanon-Israel Rome talks postponed until October
