Hezbollah leader calls on Lebanese government to abandon negotiations with Israel

The leader of the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has called on the Lebanese government to reject tomorrow's planned talks with Israel, calling them "unnecessary," UNN reports with reference to CNN.

"We reject negotiations with the Israeli entity," said Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem. "They are useless and require Lebanese agreement and consensus."

He added that Israel "clearly states" that the goal of the talks is to disarm Hezbollah. "We call for the rejection of these negotiations," he said.

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Lebanese and Israeli diplomats are set to participate in talks in Washington tomorrow, amid fears that Israeli strikes in Lebanon could threaten a delicate ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said earlier today that he hopes the talks will lead to a ceasefire, and that the talks are "the responsibility of the Lebanese state, and not of any other party," indirectly hinting at Hezbollah.

Lebanon expects ceasefire after tomorrow's talks with Israel13.04.26, 19:43 • 5086 views

Meanwhile, Qassem said the group would not surrender and would continue to respond to Israeli attacks. Speaking against the planned talks, the Hezbollah leader said: "No one has the right to make this decision on behalf of the Lebanese people."

Israel currently occupies a large part of southern Lebanon and continues to strike targets deep inside the country. Lebanese authorities claim that more than 2,000 people have died and more than 6,500 have been injured since March 2.