Lebanon hopes that tomorrow's talks with Israel in Washington will lead to a ceasefire. This was stated today by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun during a meeting with the Italian Foreign Minister in Beirut, reports UNN with reference to CNN.
"These talks will be conducted by the Lebanese negotiating team with the aim of ending hostilities," Aoun said, "after which there will be practical steps to strengthen stability in the south of the country in particular and in Lebanon as a whole."
Aoun added that the negotiations "are the responsibility of the Lebanese state, and no other party, because it is a sovereign issue in which Lebanon has no partner." This remark was an indirect hint at Hezbollah, the influential Lebanese Shiite paramilitary group linked to Iran, with which Israel has been exchanging blows for many years.
The president also stated that Lebanon has taken "security measures" at Rafic Hariri Airport in Beirut and at the country's ports to "prevent arms smuggling or the flow of illegal means."
US and Lebanon ask Israel to pause strikes on Hezbollah ahead of direct talks11.04.26, 08:10
The publication notes that Israel currently occupies most of southern Lebanon and continues to strike targets deep inside the country. Lebanese authorities say more than 2,000 people have been killed and more than 6,500 injured since March 2.
Talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats under US supervision were scheduled amid fears that Israeli strikes on Lebanon could threaten the fragile truce in the US-Israeli war with Iran.
While Iran and Pakistan, which mediated talks between Iran and the US, say Lebanon is included in the ceasefire agreement, Israel and the US argue that Lebanon is not part of the deal reached last week.
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to hold direct talks in Washington10.04.26, 23:10