The Lebanese flag at the presidential palace in Baabda, on Nov. 1, 2022. (Archive photo Dalati and Nohra)
Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, told his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, during a phone conversation on Friday that he "refused to discuss a cease-fire with the terrorist organization Hezbollah," according to a statement released after a meeting, AFP reports.
This marks the first official contact between the two countries since 1983.
Israel "has agreed to begin formal peace talks" with the Lebanese government, with which it does not have diplomatic relations, the Israeli ambassador said.
Meeting in Washington Tuesday
For its part, the Lebanese presidency said that a meeting will be held Tuesday at the U.S. State Department 'to discuss the declaration of a cease-fire and the start date for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under U.S. auspices.
"Based on the initiative launched by President of the Republic Gen. Joseph Aoun, which is rooted in diplomatic action through the declaration of a cease-fire and the opening of direct negotiations with Israel, and following the international and Arab contacts recently undertaken by President Aoun in the face of escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the U.S. administration has decided to have the State Department play a mediating role between Lebanon and Israel," the statement noted.
It also stressed that 'in accordance with President Aoun's instructions to the Lebanese ambassador in Washington, a phone call took place at 9 p.m. Beirut time, the first of its kind between Lebanon, represented by its ambassador in Washington Nada Hamadeh Moawad, and Israel, represented by its ambassador in Washington Yechiel Leiter, with the participation of U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa, who was present in Washington.'
According to our information, former ambassador Simon Karam will be present at the meeting following Tuesday's talks. The delegation could be expanded as the negotiations progress, especially as the Americans are demanding a Shiite guarantee regarding adherence to commitments, particularly concerning Hezbollah's disarmament.
After a deadly day of Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital and across the country — alongside statements from Tel Aviv and Washington stating that Lebanon would not be involved in the cease-fire or negotiations with Tehran — the entire landscape was upended.
On Thursday evening, Israel agreed to enter direct negotiations with Lebanon. "Following Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday (Wednesday) to engage in direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as quoted by his office.
"The negotiations will focus on Hezbollah's disarmament and the establishment of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon," he added.
