Hezbollah Leader Urges Lebanon To Pull Out Of Israel Talks In Washington
Key Takeaways
- Naim Qassem urged Lebanon's government to cancel the planned Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington.
- He called the talks futile as Israeli attacks intensify on Lebanon.
- The talks are direct Israel-Lebanon negotiations hosted by the United States.
Hezbollah Rejects Talks
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the upcoming Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington, calling them futile.
“Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has rejected an upcoming meeting between the Lebanese government and Israel in the United States, calling such efforts “futile” as Israeli forces intensify their attacks on Lebanon”
Qassem said the talks are a ploy to pressure Hezbollah into laying down its weapons.
He vowed we will not rest, stop or surrender.
The talks come as Israel intensified its war on Lebanon following a salvo of rockets launched by Hezbollah on March 2.
Since then, Israel's bombardment and ground invasion have killed at least 2,055 people in Lebanon.
The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors are scheduled to meet in Washington on Tuesday.
Government Pushes Talks
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam faced protests accusing him of betraying the Lebanese people.
The Lebanese government insists the priority is to secure a ceasefire.
Israel has said it wants to open formal peace negotiations with Lebanon.
Netanyahu said we want the dismantling of Hezbollah's weapons.
The talks are scheduled to take place at the US State Department.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will participate.
Hezbollah's Military Role
Hezbollah remains Lebanon's most powerful group.
The Taif Agreement mandated disarmament of all militias.
Hezbollah managed to keep its weapons by branding itself as a resistance movement.
The UN Resolution 1701 demanded Hezbollah's disarmament but has never been fully implemented.
President Aoun has defended a policy of state monopoly on arms.
Qassem warned Hezbollah will not surrender.
Military Operations Continue
The talks are unfolding as Israel continues its military campaign in southern Lebanon.
Israeli troops launched an attack to seize the key town of Bint Jbeil from Hezbollah fighters.
The Israeli military completed its encirclement of Bint Jbeil and began a ground assault.
Hezbollah fighters holed up inside were ready to fight to the death.
Israel says it aims to occupy south Lebanon up to the Litani River.
The International Committee of the Red Cross reported a strike on a Red Cross centre.
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