The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati indicated that Lebanon is "ready and prepared to enter into negotiations to achieve a long-term stabilization process in southern Lebanon, and at the northern borders of occupied Palestine, and to commit to international resolutions and the ceasefire agreement and Resolution 1701." During his meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix, he pointed out that developments in the south and ongoing efforts to stop the war in Gaza were discussed.
Mikati reiterated his call to the "international community to stop the Israeli aggression," emphasizing that "we are seeking permanent stability and call for a lasting peaceful solution, but in return, we are receiving warnings through international envoys of war on Lebanon." Lacroix, for his part, urged all parties to "calm down and to support the army in southern Lebanon and the continued close cooperation between it and UNIFIL."
Mikati's office stated in a statement that he met with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix in Beirut to reaffirm Lebanon's readiness to enter negotiations to achieve a long-term stabilization process in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel.
Mikati said, "We are seeking permanent stability and call for a lasting peaceful solution, but in return, we are receiving warnings through international envoys of war on Lebanon." He added, "The position I repeat to these envoys is: Do you support the idea of destruction? Is what is happening in Gaza acceptable?" The statement did not specify the type of negotiations Lebanon would be open to, including whether they would be direct or mediated.
