Israel-Lebanon ceasefire takes effect; Lebanon's president says he will push for a permanent agreement
Lebanese President Aoun announced that, following the start of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon was entering a “new phase” to pursue a permanent peace agreement. The announcement came the day after U.S. President Trump announced the ceasefire, and Aoun stressed that Lebanon was “no one’s battleground.” Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East conflict on March 2, when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel. President Aoun said the Lebanese government had “regained control of Lebanon and its decision-making authority” for the first time in about half a century, and expressed gratitude to President Trump and Saudi Arabia.