Lebanon seeks to extend ceasefire, pursue new talks with Israel before deadline: The details

 

Lebanon is working to extend a 10-day ceasefire with Israel set to expire at midnight Saturday, while also exploring the possibility of holding a second round of direct talks before the deadline, according to official sources.

Lebanon would be represented in the proposed talks by Ambassador Nada Moawad, facing Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter. The meeting is expected Thursday and aims to establish a roadmap for upcoming negotiations.

Ambassador Michel Issa is not expected to attend. He has been holding meetings between Baabda and Ain al-Tineh. In Baabda, officials said his discussions with President Joseph Aoun focused on the period following the first meeting in Washington and on ways to preserve the ceasefire.

Baabda sources also indicated the possibility of a second call between Aoun and Donald Trump in the coming days, noting that Trump expressed understanding of Lebanon’s demands during their initial conversation.

Those demands include U.S. guarantees on solidifying the ceasefire, initiating an Israeli withdrawal, and deploying the Lebanese army, with emphasis on the need to support it.

The sources added that without such guarantees, any discussion of a meeting between Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be premature. A potential meeting between Aoun and Trump at the White House remains under consideration, though preparations have not yet begun.

Amid these developments, Aoun stressed that no party is sharing Lebanon’s negotiations, which he said are separate from any other tracks. He revealed that Ambassador Simon Karam will head the Lebanese delegation.

Aoun said Lebanon faces two options: continued war with its consequences, or negotiations to end the conflict and achieve lasting stability. “I have chosen negotiations,” he said.

In Ain al-Tineh, officials said Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri discussed general developments with Issa. Berri later told Asharq Al-Awsat that U.S. efforts are underway to extend the ceasefire.

His political aide, MP Ali Hassan Khalil, said Lebanon rejects any imposed conditions, stating there will be no negotiation at the expense of national sovereignty or trade-offs involving sacrifices under any pretext.

A similar stance was expressed by Hezbollah. MP Hassan Fadlallah urged the president to withdraw from direct negotiations with Israel and said no one would disarm the group, either domestically or externally. He told Agence France-Presse that Hezbollah would bring down the “yellow line” established by Israel in southern Lebanon.