Lebanese President: Will Not Have Phone Call With Israeli Prime Minister

According to Lebanese media reports, Lebanese President Ouen made a phone call to US Secretary of State Rubio and said that he would not make a call to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Reuters quoted three Lebanese officials as saying on Thursday (April 16) that Lebanese President Wouen would not have a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in the near future. US President Trump said on Wednesday that the two leaders would have a phone conversation.

Two Lebanese officials said that before Onn made a call to US Secretary of State Rubio, the Lebanese embassy in Washington had already informed the US government that Onn would not make a call to Netanyahu.

Xinhua News Agency quoted a statement from the Lebanese presidential office as saying that Oun received a phone call from US Secretary of State Rubio. Oun expressed his gratitude for the efforts made by the US to promote the ceasefire and the support provided. However, the statement did not mention whether the leaders of Lebanon and Israel will have a phone conversation.

Rubio said that the US will continue to advance the current efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire, viewing it as a prerequisite for achieving peace, security and stability in Lebanon, and expressed support and appreciation for Ouen's position.

Previously, Israel's Minister of Science Gamliel said that Netanyahu would have a phone call with Oren on Thursday. Gamliel told Israel Defense Radio that this was the first phone call between the Israeli prime minister and the Lebanese president after the dialogue between the two countries had been interrupted for many years.