Lebanon confronts a U.S. ultimatum to initiate negotiations with Israel by the month’s end, emphasizing the need for civilian committees. The U.S. seeks to address key issues like prisoner release and border disputes, but internal opposition against normalization remains strong, predominantly due to Hezbollah’s influence. Moderate voices are advocating for stability and peace, leading to a complex governmental dilemma.
Recent reports indicate that Lebanon is facing a U.S. ultimatum to form civilian committees for negotiations with Israel by the end of this month. Morgan Ortagus, Deputy U.S. envoy to the Middle East, conveyed this message to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, emphasizing that rejecting the proposal could lead to Washington withdrawing from the oversight committee and allowing Israel greater operational freedom.
The deadline for initiating negotiations has been described as non-negotiable, with U.S. officials advocating for immediate discussions under the current framework. This initiative aims to broaden negotiations beyond military matters, focusing on three primary issues: the release of Lebanese prisoners, Israeli withdrawal from multiple disputed border points, and the resolution of remaining border disputes.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji has reiterated Lebanon’s firm stance against any normalization with Israel and has stressed that direct political negotiations will not be entertained. The Lebanese government is caught between the threat of Israeli escalation should it reject American proposals and the strong internal opposition to normalization with Israel.
Opposition to normalization is robust on Lebanese social media, where Hezbollah and its supporters refer to Israel as the “Zionist enemy.” Campaigns, such as لبنان_ضد_التطبيع, highlight a commitment to the resistance against Israel, with sentiments expressing that any consideration of peace betrays the memory of fallen martyrs.
Conversely, moderate voices within the Lebanese populace, particularly from Christian, Sunni, and Druze communities, are advocating for stability and peace over continued conflict. Some individuals have articulated frustrations, suggesting that the ongoing war is not representative of the people’s will and that peace may be attainable if Lebanon can extricate itself from Hezbollah’s influence.
While skepticism remains prevalent, especially among users not aligned with Hezbollah, there are discussions around potentially proposing the inclusion of civilian experts in the military oversight committee to address U.S. demands without fully endorsing them.
In summary, Lebanon faces significant pressure from the United States to engage in negotiations with Israel, which presents a complex dilemma for its government. Despite foreign calls for dialogue, strong sentiments against normalization persist among important factions within Lebanon, particularly among Hezbollah supporters. However, there is a growing demand among more moderate Lebanese for stability and potential peace, illustrating a divided national sentiment. Moving forward, Lebanon must navigate these tensions carefully, balancing international expectations against domestic opposition.
Original Source: vinnews.com
