Israel, Lebanon Open 3rd Washington Talks With Military Officials as US Presses 1955 Normalization Law Repeal
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 13
Israel, Lebanon Open 3rd Washington Talks With Military Officials as US Presses 1955 Normalization Law Repeal
11 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 13
Thursday’s third Israel-Lebanon round in Washington will, for the first time, include military officials from both sides as negotiators try to deepen a framework for agreement before a three-week ceasefire expires.
US officials are pressing Beirut to make a major concession to keep talks moving, including repealing Lebanon’s 1955 law banning normalization with Israel, after Washington said Israel had upheld the truce and taken confidence-building steps.
Friday has already been set for a follow-up session after both delegations consult their leaders, with Lebanon represented by former ambassador Simon Karam, current ambassador Nada Hamadeh Mouawad and a military attaché.
Lebanon’s government sharpened pressure on another front by filing a UN Security Council complaint accusing Iran of interference and of dragging the country into a war it did not choose.
Hezbollah officials, opposing direct negotiations and any peace deal with Israel, called for a national referendum and warned President Joseph Aoun against concessions ahead of his expected US visit.
Lebanon is complaining to the UN about Iran. Is this a genuine pivot or a desperate tactic?
Will repealing a 1955 anti-Israel law be the key to peace or the deal's ultimate breaking point?
As Lebanon seeks peace, can its government dismantle Hezbollah's powerful 'state within a state'?