Israel and Lebanon resume direct talks after decades

(CLO) On December 3, Israeli and Lebanese officials held their first direct negotiations in decades in Naqoura.

Israeli and Lebanese civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades on Wednesday in Naqoura, Lebanon. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the United Nations International Force (UNIFIL) near the Israeli border, at the request of the United States.

IDF operations in Lebanon. Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed he has ordered a representative to travel to Lebanon to meet with government and economic officials.

The office described it as "an initial effort to lay the foundation for economic relations and cooperation between Israel and Lebanon".

Lebanon is sending former Ambassador Simon Karam as head of the delegation, while according to MTV Lebanon, the Israeli side is expected to be attended by Uri Resnick from the National Security Council. Ms. Morgan Ortagus, US special envoy to Lebanon, also attended the meeting.

Jerusalem and Beirut last held indirect talks at Naqoura in 2022 to finalize a US-brokered maritime boundary.

The meeting is also part of a mechanism to monitor a ceasefire that was established a year ago in the conflict with Hezbollah.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah must withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Israel has 60 days to leave the entire border. The Israeli army is still stationed at five posts in southern Lebanon, with the reason being that Hezbollah's infrastructure in the area has not been completely dismantled.

In addition to hundreds of airstrikes, Israeli ground forces have carried out more than 1,200 raids and other offensive operations in southern Lebanon, mainly around five "strategic" border posts.

Source: https://congluan.vn/israel-va-lebanon-noi-lai-dam-phan-truc-tiep-sau-nhieu-thap-ky-10320283.html