Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Thursday that the mplementation of the ceasefire could begin within 24 hours once all parties agreed and guarantees were secured, as Lebanon continued to push for progress in ceasefire negotiations amid ongoing international mediation efforts.

Speaking to journalists at the presidential palace on the sideline of his meeting with French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, Aoun said that maintaining a ceasefire remained the essential condition for progress in negotiations, stressing that international backing was necessary to move the process forward.

He warned against giving Israel “any pretext not to withdraw,” underscoring what he described as the importance of preserving momentum in the talks and avoiding any actions that could derail them.

Aoun described the negotiations as “difficult,” revealing that the head of the Lebanese delegation, Simon Karam, had at one point suspended participation following what he called Israeli intransigence. He added that the situation prompted the intervention of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who worked to resume the discussions.

Aoun said the ceasefire constituted the “fundamental entry point” for addressing all other outstanding issues, adding that the current framework should be treated as a “last opportunity,” after which “each party must bear its responsibilities.”

“Since 2 a.m., I have been in contact with international and domestic parties to consolidate the ceasefire,” he said.

He added that Lebanon was awaiting responses from all relevant parties, along with “the necessary guarantees for compliance,” noting that the United States, as sponsor of the process, would determine the timetable and implementation mechanism.

He also outlined a phased proposal, saying Lebanon had suggested that a first-stage “pilot zone” could include Beaufort Castle and areas in eastern and western Zawtar in southern Lebanon.

Aoun said Lebanon was relying on the United States, which he described as taking a “firm position,” adding that the latest understanding differed from previous arrangements, including the October 27 agreement, in both timing and substance.

French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian also met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.