Cautious optimism in Lebanon as direct talks with Israel progress

"Lebanese officials are hoping that two-day ambassador-level negotiations in the US will yield a new ceasefire deal. A third round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon has kicked off in Washington, DC, days before the expiration of a ceasefire that hardly halted Israeli attacks and Hezbollah's response to them. The talks, which began on Thursday, represent a step towards more serious negotiations, with higher-level envoys from Lebanon and Israel taking part after the initial preparatory sessions were headed by the ambassadors of the two countries to Washington."

"Lebanese officials are hoping that the two-day negotiations will yield a new ceasefire deal and pave the way for tackling a series of thorny issues, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attended the first Israel-Lebanon meetings in Washington in April, was with US President Donald Trump on a visit to China and did not attend Thursday's session."

"Lebanon's envoy heading up Thursday's talks, Simon Karam, is an attorney and well-connected former Lebanese ambassador to the United States who recently represented Lebanon in indirect talks with Israel over implementation of the ceasefire that preceded the latest outbreak of war between Israel and Hezbollah. On the Israeli side, Deputy National Security Adviser Yossi Draznin was set to attend."

"We do not want to downplay the significance of these talks, but they are ambassador-level talks, excluding top leadership from Israel, Lebanon and the US, said Al Jazeera's Manuel Rapalo, reporting from Washington, DC, adding that there is no diplomatic relationship between Lebanon and Israel. Trump has publicly called for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Aoun has declined to meet or speak directly with Netanyahu at this stage a move that would likely generate blowback in Lebanon"

Two-day ambassador-level negotiations in Washington, DC, are underway between Israel and Lebanon to secure a new ceasefire before an existing one expires. Lebanese officials expect the talks to enable progress on difficult issues, including withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and disarmament of Hezbollah. The initial sessions were led by the ambassadors of both countries, with higher-level envoys joining afterward. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend Thursday’s session, while Lebanese envoy Simon Karam and Israeli deputy national security adviser Yossi Draznin are participating. The talks are described as significant but not involving top leadership, and Lebanon and Israel have no diplomatic relationship. Trump has urged direct meetings between Joseph Aoun and Benjamin Netanyahu, but Aoun has declined, risking backlash in Lebanon.

Read at www.aljazeera.com