Issa meets Aoun, Berri ahead of third round of Israeli-Lebanese talks

President Joseph Aoun met Monday with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa as Lebanon and Israel prepare to hold a third round of talks on Thursday and Friday in Washington.

Aoun urged Issa to pressure Israel to implement a ceasefire reached on April 17, halt attacks, and stop the demolition and bulldozing of homes in southern border villages.

Israel has expanded its strikes on Lebanon in recent days, despite the ceasefire, and its troops are operating behind an Israeli-declared "yellow line" that runs around 10 kilometers north of Lebanon's border. Troops are bulldozing and demolishing homes there and Hezbollah is targeting them, mainly with attack drones.

After meeting Aoun, Issa met with Parliament Speaker and Hezbollah ally Nabih Berri. The meeting discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.