BEIRUT, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday spoke over phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the potential Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, according to the Lebanese presidency.

This handout photograph released by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun speaking at a joint-press conference with Germany's president (not in the picture) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, East of Beirut, Feb 16, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

Aoun expressed appreciation for Washington's efforts to reach a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.

For his part, Rubio said the United States will continue its efforts to secure a ceasefire, a step he described as vital for achieving peace, security and stability in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, sources told local media LBCI that Aoun told Rubio during the phone call that he would not speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel and Lebanon held their first diplomatic talks since 1993 earlier this week in Washington, with both sides agreeing to launch "direct" negotiations after the meeting. U.S. President Donald Trump said the countries' leaders were expected to speak Thursday.

Lebanese health authorities said Wednesday that the cumulative death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the country has risen to 2,167, with 7,061 others injured since March 2.