Lebanon says ceasefire talks aim primarily at halting Israel's hostilities

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that ceasefire talks with Israel are primarily aimed at stopping Israeli hostilities on Lebanese territory, after the Israeli prime minister's office said it seeks economic cooperation.

Israel and Lebanon entered a US-brokered ceasefire agreement last year, but Israel has not halted strikes against Hezbollah group.

On Wednesday, officials from both sides said civilian envoys had been sent to the military committee that monitors their ceasefire, in a step that broadens the scope of their discussions.

Israel said its representative was dispatched to Lebanon to help lay the groundwork for a relationship and potential economic cooperation.

"These negotiations are mainly aimed at stopping the hostile actions carried out by Israel on Lebanese territory, securing the return of the captives, scheduling the withdrawal from the occupied areas, and resolving the disputed points along the Blue Line," Aoun said in a statement on Friday, referring to the UN-mapped line that separates Israel from Lebanon.

He also told a visiting UN Security Council delegation that Lebanon welcomes any country willing to keep forces in the south to support the army after UNIFIL, the long-running peacekeeping mission, withdraws at the end of 2026, adding that several states have already expressed interest.