Lebanese PM Mikati ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Lebanon, Israel ceasefire

Lebanon’s caretake PM Najib Mikati said Washington’s Middle East envoy ‘suggested’ a ceasefire could be within reach.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed hope that a ceasefire to end Israel’s attack on Lebanon could be announced within days as Israeli media published what it said was a draft truce agreement providing for an initial 60-day cessation of fighting.

Mikati said he became more optimistic about the possibility of a truce after speaking on Wednesday with the United States envoy for the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, who was due to travel to Israel on Thursday.

“Hochstein, during his call with me, suggested to me that we could reach an agreement before the end of the month and before November 5,” Mikati told Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television, referring to the date of the US election.

“We are doing everything we can, and we should remain optimistic that in the coming hours or days, we will have a ceasefire,” Mikati said, adding that he was “cautiously optimistic”.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan published what it said was a leaked proposal written by Washington in which Israel would withdraw its forces from Lebanon within the first week of a proposed 60-day ceasefire.