Today, Monday, President Joseph Aoun received at Baabda Palace the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa. Issa confirmed that the discussion dealt with the course of the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations and their expected results in terms of ending the status quo in Lebanon, noting that he conveyed to President Aoun the American administration’s appreciation for the positions he announced during his last interview. Issa explained that the United States considers choosing the negotiation path to be an essential step towards addressing the crises facing Lebanon, pointing out that this option enjoys Washington’s support as it is the best way to achieve progress on the issues at hand. The American ambassador revealed that the negotiations are scheduled to resume in Washington during the next stage, noting the performance of the Lebanese negotiating delegation, which he said was highly professional and effective in presenting the Lebanese position and discussing the various issues raised. Regarding the recent developments, Issa described what happened yesterday as a “political message,” stressing that the United States had taken a decision not to allow the confrontation to expand, as part of efforts aimed at maintaining stability and preventing the deterioration of the situation in the region. He stressed that the Lebanese file receives special attention from the US administration, noting that US President Donald Trump is constantly following developments related to Lebanon. He added that the President of the Republic's adherence to the negotiation option contributes to achieving progress in the efforts made to end the suffering of the Lebanese and push the political path forward. Issa stressed that the negotiations are moving in the right direction, pointing out that addressing the issues at hand requires time and a series of successive meetings, and that results cannot be achieved through a single meeting, considering that the continuation of dialogue and negotiation reflects positively on Lebanon and the region. The American ambassador concluded by stressing that the United States continues to support Lebanon and help it overcome its crises, considering that the negotiations have entered an advanced stage and that “the ice has broken,” allowing work to continue to achieve more progress in the next stage.