Washington-Tehran signaling through Qatar opened the day, with Trump citing positive momentum and Tehran listing conditions, while Eisenkot vowed a swift government in Israel and Lebanese outlets debated whether Beirut was waiting on Israel. Attention then turned inward as President Aoun and Defense Minister Menassa publicly shielded army chief Haykal after criticism attributed to Geagea, warning against targeting the command.
Berri’s proposal for side dialogues was portrayed as faltering against Hezbollah conditions and Baabda’s refusal of concessions, as diplomacy focused on avoiding a post-UNIFIL vacuum, with Rubio-Macron talks, G7 consensus and Rubio rejecting linkage between Lebanon and Iran negotiations.
Late coverage shifted to Beirut with former Iraqi MP Ahmed al-Alwani found killed in Tariq al-Jdideh after reported abduction, alongside reports of five Hezbollah members detained in the Batroun-Bsharri highlands.