US Embassy in Beirut urges Lebanon to negotiate with Israel with ‘full attention’ of US

The US Embassy in Beirut said Thursday that the current ceasefire with Israel gives Lebanon “the space and the opportunity to put all of its legitimate demands on the table with the full attention of the United States Government.”

“Lebanon stands at a crossroads. Its people have a historic opportunity to reclaim their country and shape their future as a truly sovereign, independent nation,” the embassy said in a post on X.

The embassy said that direct talks between Lebanon and Israel can mark the beginning of a national revival. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension to the original 10-day ceasefire. He also said Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would meet one another at the White House.

“A direct meeting between President Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu, facilitated by President Trump, would give Lebanon the chance to secure concrete guarantees on full sovereignty, territorial integrity, secure borders, humanitarian and reconstruction support, and the complete restoration of Lebanese state authority over every inch of its territory—guaranteed by the United States,” the embassy said on Thursday.

“This is Lebanon’s moment to decide its own destiny, one which belongs to all its people. The United States is ready to stand with Lebanon as it seizes this opportunity with confidence and wisdom. The time for hesitation is over.”