Aoun says Lebanon pursuing independent path in negotiations

BEIRUT — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Wednesday that his country is pursuing an independent approach in ongoing negotiations, stressing that any settlement would be reached through the Lebanese state and not at its expense.“The assurances we received, and what we insist on, are that Lebanon has an independent track in the negotiations,” Aoun said while receiving a delegation of Maronite bishops from the diaspora.According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, Aoun said Beirut was “certainly in favor of a ceasefire and of any country that helps us, including Iran.”“The Lebanese state is conducting the negotiations, and it is sovereign in its decision-making. No one takes its place, and any settlement will be through Lebanon, not at its expense,” he added.Aoun’s remarks come amid continued hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.Israel has been carrying out an offensive in Lebanon since March 2, leaving thousands dead and wounded and displacing more than one million people, according to official figures.