[45586] Crisis in diplomatic talks: Efforts for Lebanese President's visit to Washington frozen

Diplomatic and security tension on the northern border

According to coordinated reports in Lebanese and Arab media, efforts to organize the visit of Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun, to Washington for negotiations with Israel have been frozen. According to Abu Ali Express and The Convergence of Arenas, which are close to critical positions regarding Hezbollah, Aoun fears a "joint photo with Netanyahu - and this without any real achievement in the negotiations." The reports note that the American administration clarified to the Lebanese President that there are no guarantees for a ceasefire before the visit, and that the issue of Israeli withdrawal would be a subject for discussion and not a precondition.

At the same time, Kan 11 | Palestinian Arab Desk reports that diplomatic sources estimate that another round of negotiations will take place in Washington later next week. According to the report, the Lebanese delegation is expected to be led by former ambassador Simon Karam, following the end of the current ambassador's term. However, the Lebanese newspaper "Al-Joumhouria" emphasizes that things are not final and depend on the progress of contacts.

In the security arena, the newspaper "Ad-Diyar", identified with the pro-Hezbollah camp, reports that UN envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert presented the Lebanese President with a firm position from Israel, according to which the IDF will continue to operate in southern Lebanon and will refuse to withdraw before the organization is disarmed north of the Litani (Kan 11).

On the other hand, the channel Asrar Lubnan, which presents a critical line toward Israel, notes that Hezbollah has increased its use of explosive drones, which it calls a "game-changing weapon." According to the channel, the IDF continues with extensive strikes in southern Lebanon under the restrictions of the political echelon, with the aim of clearing the area south of the Litani of civilians while avoiding damage to state infrastructure. The channel estimates that Hezbollah may try to escalate the military situation as negotiations progress, with the aim of causing the collapse of the talks and the government in Lebanon.