Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a dramatic statement today (Thursday) in which he announced that direct negotiations with Lebanon will be opened.
According to a report on Channel 12, a senior Israeli official announced that the person who will lead the direct negotiations is Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, facing Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
According to a report in Kan News, the talks will take place next week in Washington under the auspices of the United States Department of State. Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Maoued will represent Lebanon, and Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter will represent Israel.
Former Minister Ron Dermer, who currently holds no official position, is also expected to be involved in the talks.
The Prime Minister's full statement: "In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the Cabinet yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.
""The negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and regulating peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon. Israel appreciates the Lebanese Prime Minister's call today to evacuate Beirut.".
Israel makes it clear that the negotiations will be conducted under fire and that IDF forces will continue to operate in Lebanon.
Earlier, NBC reported from a senior US government official that US President Donald Trump, in a conversation last night with Prime Minister Netanyahu, asked to reduce attacks in Lebanon - "for the sake of the negotiations that are supposed to open with Iran.".
The American source added that despite official statements that Lebanon is not part of the agreement with Iran, Israel has agreed to be a "useful partner.".
At the same time, the Iranian Fars News Agency quoted a source who said that the issue of Lebanon and the ceasefire there is a prerequisite for any new negotiation process on the part of Iran.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said: "The only solution to the current situation in Lebanon is to achieve a ceasefire with Israel. The proposal for a ceasefire with Israel and the beginning of direct negotiations with it has begun to receive positive feedback.".
