Report: Increasing contacts in Lebanon ahead of the round of negotiations – and the demands

Against the background of American attempts to push forward a political path between Lebanon and Israel, Beirut is entering a sensitive week: the third round of talks between the parties is expected to open on Thursday in Washington, when behind the scenes Lebanon is trying to obtain an extension of the ceasefire that will allow it to reach the negotiating table from a breathing position. At the same time, there are those in Jerusalem who focus the pressure on a particularly explosive issue: the disarmament of Hezbollah.

According to a report in the Lebanese newspaper Nidaa al-Watan, in recent days the contacts and consultations are increasing in Beirut in preparation for the talks that will be held on Thursday-Friday, with the Lebanese side intending to present a series of demands, chief among them the establishment of a cease-fire and the curbing of military escalation, as a condition for entering a stable negotiation path.

In the future, Lebanon wishes to promote discussions on other issues, including Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the release of prisoners, the rehabilitation of the affected areas and the return of the displaced to their villages.

On the other hand, according to the report, the US and Israel prioritize a demand for effective measures on the part of Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and to establish the country’s full sovereignty over its entire territory.

 

There will be no security for Israel or the northern cities, as long as security in Lebanon is not fully guaranteed

Mahmoud Kamati, a member of Hezbollah’s Political Council

Sources in the Lebanese presidential palace told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Diyar that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is conducting intensive talks, in an attempt to obtain an extension of the ceasefire even before the expected round of talks in Washington begins on Thursday.

According to the sources, in Beirut they strive to reach the talks in a calm atmosphere and without military pressure on Lebanon. It was also noted that the instructions given to the Lebanese delegation include five main objectives: the establishment of the ceasefire, the beginning of an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese army in the areas from which the IDF will withdraw, the return of the residents to the areas where the army will be deployed, and the release of Hezbollah detainees.

A member of Hezbollah’s political council, Mahmoud Kamati, stated that “there will be no security for Israel or for the cities of the north, as long as security in Lebanon is not fully guaranteed”.

He further threatened that Hezbollah will not return to the “strategic patience” that characterized the period preceding March 8, during which, according to him, Israel carried out assassinations while a terrorist organization exercised restraint. He warned that any Israeli violation from now on – will be met with a response from the military arm of Hezbollah.