Prime Minister of Lebanon to visit the US to discuss peace deal with Israel
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam will embark on a foreign tour next week, starting with a visit to the United States, where a peace deal with Israel will be discussed. This was reported by the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.
According to the publication, Salam will hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
On April 9, the Lebanese government confirmed its commitment to a peace initiative for entering direct negotiations with Israel to resolve the conflict. As expected, the first round of bilateral contacts will take place in Washington on Tuesday, April 14, with the Lebanese delegation led by Ambassador to the US Nada Hammade-Mouawwad, the publication writes.
Salam told Asharq al-Awsat that during the foreign tour, he hopes to garner support and mobilize efforts to restore the authority of the Lebanese state over the entire territory of the country. "The path to resolving the crisis in Lebanon is clear: it begins with a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops," the politician stated.
According to the publication, the country's leadership seeks to separate the Lebanese track from US-Iranian negotiations. Thus, in a statement by President Joseph Aoun, disseminated by his office on April 9, dissatisfaction was expressed regarding Iranian interference and attempts to tie Lebanon to the axis of resistance. "Lebanon remains a sovereign and capable state," the text states. "We will never agree to anyone negotiating on our behalf."
In turn, Ali Fayyad, a representative of the parliamentary faction of the Shia organization Hezbollah, rejected the possibility of entering negotiations until Israel completely ceases military actions against Lebanon. According to him, the government must demand a truce "as a preliminary condition before any further steps are taken."
Source: TASS
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