Lebanese president again defends decision to negotiate with Israel

President Joseph Aoun dismissed criticisms of the Lebanese government’s decision to negotiate with Israel, saying that they “do not deserve a response”. “I assure you that I will not back down from the decision to negotiate that I have taken, while insisting that all my positions include clarifications to the Lebanese people about the importance of the path we are taking, and Lebanon’s adherence to its sovereignty in all the steps we take”, he said while addressing a Christian political bloc headed by Samir Geagea.