Report: Israel to respond regarding Lebanon's demands on Saturday

After their visit to Beirut, U.S. envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus met in Paris with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and the talks were not positive, seeing as Dermer categorically rejected adding Lebanon’s eight remarks to the U.S. paper, informed sources said.

The U.S. delegation then suggested that Israel make a goodwill gesture through releasing a number of Lebanese captives and withdrawing from one of the occupied points, but Dermer strongly rejected that and stressed that Israel wants “serious actions” from Lebanon and that it will carry on with its plans for the northern front, the sources told ad-Diyar newspaper in remarks published Friday.

“In the face of this intransigent stance, Barrack suggested that the Israeli government issue an official statement in which it declares its readiness to gradually withdraw as the Lebanese government begins to implement its pledges, a proposal that was discussed with the Lebanese side,” the sources added.

“Dermer then asked to adjourn the meeting in order to discuss the matter with the relevant officials in Israel, adding that the U.S. side would be informed of the final response on Saturday,” the sources said.

The sources added that Ortagus is expected to visit Beirut on Monday along with a U.S. congressional delegation, carrying Israel’s response.

“Israel will maneuver, seeing as it does not intend to offer any concessions at the current time, especially amid the regional situations and the developments in Gaza and Syria,” the sources said.