US embassies in Beirut and Israel say committed to seeking Lebanon-Israel peace
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut and the U.S. embassy in Israel are “committed to Lebanon and Israel moving towards a sustainable and effective peace through diplomacy and dialogue,” the U.S. Embassy in Beirut said on X.
“This weekend, they were hosted by @USEmbassyJordan where they discussed steps needed for a more peaceful and prosperous region,” the Embassy added.
Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives had in December held their first direct talks in decades, part of a year-old U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism.
The United States has pushed for direct talks between the two sides in a bid to stabilize the region and further weaken Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office called it a first attempt to establish a basis for ties between the two sides.
Lebanon has declared itself ready for negotiations with Israel.
Netanyahu has repeatedly said Lebanon should join the Abraham Accords, under which a handful of Arab and Muslim countries have normalized ties with Israel.
In 1983, after Israel's invasion of Lebanon, the two countries held direct talks, resulting in the signing of an agreement that would have established relations. It was never ratified.
Netanyahu’s office also said that the talks would discuss “economic cooperation.”
Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite the 2024 truce, saying it is targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure to stop the group from rebuilding its military capabilities.
Under a government-approved plan, the Lebanese Army said earlier this month that it has dismantled Hezbollah's military infrastructure south of the Litani River. Judging the Lebanese efforts insufficient, Israel has ramped up its strikes in recent weeks.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced Friday that Lebanon “will not back down” from the second phase of the disarmament plan, which is supposed to take place between the Litani and Awali rivers.
Source: Naharnet
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