A Lebanese source for Al Jazeera: Beirut is preparing a delegation to negotiate with Israel
Key Takeaways
- Lebanon preparing to form delegation with Israel to halt escalation along southern border.
- Europe welcomed the Lebanese proposal; Beirut awaits the United States' position.
- Parliament speaker did not approve participation.
Diplomatic delegation plan
A Lebanese official told Al Jazeera that Lebanon is continuing preparations to form a negotiating delegation with Israel to discuss ways to halt the escalation along the southern border.
“An official Lebanese source told Al Jazeera that Lebanon continues its preparations to form a negotiating delegation with Israel, in a move aimed at discussing ways to halt the escalation along the southern border”
Europe welcomed the Lebanese proposal while Beirut awaits the United States’ position.
Representation and consensus
The same source said that the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament did not approve the participation of a representative from the 'Shiite duo' in the delegation, noting a presidential effort to secure representation for all Lebanese components in the negotiating delegation, reflecting national consensus on the file.
Regarding Lebanon's conditions for the negotiations, the source stressed that Lebanon insists on UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and conditions a ceasefire before entering any round of negotiations with Israel.
Conditions and venues
He added that the likely venue for the negotiations is Cyprus, with Lebanon open to any other European capital, according to the official.
“An official Lebanese source told Al Jazeera that Lebanon continues its preparations to form a negotiating delegation with Israel, in a move aimed at discussing ways to halt the escalation along the southern border”
The source confirmed that the Lebanese delegation will be formed at the ambassador level, ready for any potential negotiations with the Israeli side, while consultations continue among the heads of the republic, the government, and the parliament to determine the final composition of the delegation.
These developments come at a time when French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France is ready to facilitate and host direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
Frontline escalation and casualties
Field developments: These political developments come as the intensity of confrontation on the Lebanese-Israeli front has escalated today, Saturday, with exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, in parallel with Israeli air strikes targeting several areas in Lebanon, and with diplomatic sources talking about Israel's intention to continue its military operations.
Local media reported 20 martyrs and several injuries as a result of targeting several areas in southern Lebanon and Beirt, and those outlets reported 12 martyrs and several injuries as a result of targeting the Islamic Health Authority Center in Burj Qalaweh in the Bent Jbeil district.
Meanwhile, sirens sounded in western Galilee towns after rockets were fired from Lebanon, and the Israeli army said rescue and relief teams are working at the site of a rocket's fall in northern Israel, with damages recorded to homes and vehicles in the Hatzor HaGlilit settlement in the Upper Galilee.
