Lebanon to Washington: No Direct Talks Unless Israel Commits to 40-Day Cease-Fire

In Washington, Lebanon’s ambassador to the U.S., Nadia Hamadeh Maawad, and Israel’s ambassador Yechiel Leiter will meet this evening (Thursday, 11:00 p.m. Israel time). U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also be present at the meeting. This is the second meeting between the two within a week. With American mediation, they are trying to lay the groundwork for direct negotiations between the countries.

Lebanese media reported today that Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun instructed the ambassador to the U.S. to convey the message that, as a condition for continuing the negotiations, Lebanon demands extending the cease-fire by 20–40 days and stopping the IDF from further demolishing villages in southern Lebanon. It should be noted that the cease-fire is scheduled to end this coming Sunday.

According to the report, "Only if Israel agrees to these conditions will the talks move to setting a place and time for direct negotiations." The Lebanese president announced that if Israel agrees to the conditions, the Lebanese delegation in future talks will be led by Simon Karam, formerly Lebanon’s ambassador in Washington.

As a reminder, the day before yesterday the Lebanese president said, "Diplomacy is war without bloodshed, while war is destruction and ruin. That is why we chose the path of negotiations while strictly safeguarding rights. First and foremost: an end to aggression, an Israeli withdrawal, and the release of captives".

"Negotiations are not a concession and not a surrender. They are a way to solve problems. It is important that the Lebanese stand with the state at this time—they are tired of wars. It is my duty and responsibility to do whatever is required to achieve security and peace for Lebanon".

In a call with U.S. President Donald Trump last week, Aoun said he does not want to speak with Netanyahu at this stage as long as there are no results on an Israeli withdrawal, a cease-fire, the release of prisoners, and the return of displaced residents.

Meanwhile, several Arab media outlets reported that Hezbollah turned to Iran, which in turn approached Pakistan, asking them to convey a message to the U.S.: "Order Israel to declare the continuation of the cease-fire." Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said today that his organization wants the cease-fire to continue, but "on the basis of full compliance by the Israeli enemy." At a press conference broadcast on Hezbollah’s television, he reiterated Hezbollah’s objections to face-to-face talks and called on the Lebanese government to "cancel all forms of direct contact with Israel".