Journalists in the Arab world react to talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington

He added and wrote: “Therefore, instead of blaming those who seek to end the war, we should remember who is fighting now and is unable to repel the invasion; who entered the war on October 8; who started the conflict in 2006 after Israel withdrew; who tried to take control of Beirut in 2008; who was accused of trafficking in Captagon; who was linked to the assassination of politicians, journalists and intellectuals in Lebanon; who attacked civilians during 2019 protests; and who stored explosive materials in the port of Beirut. War is not measured by the number of dead or the actual survival but by the ability to achieve goals and protect the citizens.”

“This meeting is the first high-level contact between the governments of Israel and Lebanon since 1993. The participants had a fruitful discussion about the steps necessary to launch direct negotiations between the two countries. The US congratulated the two countries on this historic achievement, and expressed its continued support for the talks, as well as for the Lebanese government’s plans to regain the monopoly on weapons and end the excessive internal Iranian influence, and also expressed its hope that these talks will cross the framework of the 2024 agreement, and lead to a comprehensive peace agreement.”

Kassem emphasized that no party has the right to lead Lebanon to such a path without a broad internal consensus, which does not exist at the moment. He called on the political echelon to show a firm stance and cancel the negotiations, and promised that such a step would make the international community “run after Lebanon” and strengthen its position.