The U.S. is urging Lebanon to engage in direct talks with Israel, expressing dissatisfaction with its current approach to Hezbollah. U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff emphasized that reconstruction efforts in Lebanon will be contingent upon reaching a political settlement with Israel. Furthermore, Hezbollah must disarm across all areas of deployment to comply with U.S. conditions.
The United States is expressing dissatisfaction with Lebanon’s approach towards Hezbollah and is urging for direct political negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv, as indicated by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Reports from the online newspaper Naharnet, citing an unnamed Lebanese figure who met Witkoff in Doha, reveal that Washington rejects the current Lebanese strategies in dealing with Hezbollah, deeming them ineffective.
Witkoff reportedly stated that Lebanon must participate in face-to-face negotiations with Israel, led by a civilian figure from Beirut, while Israel will be represented by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, an ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The U.S. envoy emphasized that strict conditions would apply concerning Lebanon’s reconstruction and territorial disputes with Israel.
The source revealed that Witkoff asserted there would be no reconstruction in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, or southern Beirut unless a political settlement with Israel is secured. Furthermore, displaced residents shall not return to frontline towns until such an agreement is established.
Witkoff further noted that Israel would retain control of five disputed border points for about a year and would refrain from engaging in a broader settlement regarding 13 contested locations unless aligned with Washington’s frameworks. However, a possibility exists for Israel to withdraw from some points before Lebanon’s impending parliamentary elections.
Concerning Hezbollah’s military presence, Witkoff articulated that the group would be prohibited from keeping its weapons in the South Litani area and all its operational territories, including the Northern Litani region and the Bekaa Valley. Such remarks, if verified, indicate an escalation in U.S. pressure on Lebanon to revise its political stance regarding Hezbollah and negotiations with Israel.
In conclusion, the United States is pressing Lebanon to engage in direct negotiations with Israel and change its current stance on Hezbollah. The conditions outlined by U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff suggest significant geopolitical implications for Lebanon, particularly regarding reconstruction efforts and the management of displaced residents. This escalation in pressure reflects the urgency for Lebanon to align its policies to meet Washington’s demands, particularly concerning military capabilities and border disputes with Israel.
Original Source: www.lbcgroup.tv
