Israel and Lebanon expected to hold talks soon, Israeli officials say
The Straits Times
JERUSALEM, March 15 - Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks in the coming days aimed at securing a durable ceasefire that would see Hezbollah disarmed, two Israeli officials said on Sunday, though the timing and terms have yet to be agreed. Read more at straitstimes.com.
JERUSALEM, March 15 - Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks in the coming days aimed at securing a durable ceasefire that would see Hezbollah disarmed, two Israeli officials said on Sunday, though the timing and terms have yet to be agreed.
Beirut is forming a delegation for talks but no date has been set. Lebanon needed clarity on whether Israel would abide by President Joseph Aoun's first point — a demand for a full ceasefire to allow negotiations to take place, three Lebanese officials said on Saturday.
The expected talks were first reported by Israel's newspaper Haaretz on Saturday.
A Lebanese official said on Sunday that Lebanon has not yet received official notification from Israel on discussions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confidante Ron Dermer is leading the talks for Israel, the Israeli officials said, and France was involved in the initiative.
Israel's Army Radio said on Sunday that Dermer, who previously served as minister of strategic affairs, had visited Saudi Arabia last week to discuss the talks that would begin once the current military campaign against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah is exhausted.
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