The Lebanese capital, Beirut, witnessed intense diplomatic activity with the return of US Ambassador Michel Issa from Washington, where he held a series of meetings with senior Lebanese officials. These moves come at a time when the country is experiencing a fragile truce marred by much anxiety due to repeated and continuous Israeli violations in the border areas.
The US Ambassador began his tour by meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace, where discussions focused on solidifying the ceasefire and protecting civilians. During the meeting, the Lebanese side stressed the necessity of stopping the targeting of civilian facilities as a fundamental step preceding any continuation of the diplomatic meetings scheduled in the American capital, Washington.
At the Grand Serail, Issa met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss mechanisms for indirect negotiations with the Israeli occupation and ways to enhance stability. The US Ambassador affirmed during these meetings the continued support of the United States for Lebanese institutions, considering that achieving lasting peace on the borders represents a priority for the US administration at the current stage.
Official data indicates that the Lebanese position has become stricter in linking the negotiation process to the on-the-ground reality. Beirut refuses to move to the formal negotiation format unless the occupation commits to a comprehensive cessation of all military operations and violations affecting medical teams and journalists in the South.
Informed sources reported that there are serious questions within Lebanese political circles about the utility of de-escalation in light of continued daily Israeli shelling. The sources clarified that the Lebanese government considers Israeli adherence to the truce as the only criterion that will determine the fate of upcoming rounds of Washington-sponsored talks.
On the ground, southern villages continue to witness extensive shelling and demolition of residential homes, threatening the collapse of the ceasefire agreement that began last April. Despite the extension of the truce until mid-May, the pace of Israeli attacks has not decreased, posing major challenges for international mediators.
Returning to the negotiation track, official Lebanon believes that the two rounds held in Washington last April did not go beyond the preliminary framework. Beirut confirms that real negotiations have not yet begun, and that previous sessions were only aimed at exploring positions and defining a framework for future work under international patronage.
In a notable development, the US Embassy in Beirut proposed a direct meeting between the Lebanese President and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under the patronage of Donald Trump. The embassy stated in a communiqué that such a meeting could provide tangible guarantees for Lebanese sovereignty and accelerate reconstruction efforts and the flow of humanitarian aid.
However, this proposal faces significant complexities given the Lebanese conditions insisting on stopping the aggression first and foremost. Observers believe that the official Lebanese link between negotiations and on-the-ground commitment aims to pressure the international community to compel Israel to stop its violations that have affected dozens of villages and towns.
In conclusion, the situation in Lebanon remains suspended between American diplomatic efforts and continuous Israeli escalation on the ground. The coming days will determine whether Washington's pressures will succeed in solidifying the truce, or whether on-the-ground violations will lead to the abortion of the negotiation process before it officially begins.
Lebanon stipulates for the launch of formal negotiations a full Israeli commitment to a ceasefire and to stopping the targeting of civilians and paramedics.
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American moves in Beirut to solidify truce: Lebanon stipulates end to violations to launch negotiations