Washington Advises Lebanon to Continue Negotiations with Israel

On the eve of the commencement of talks at the US State Department headquarters, senior Lebanese officials—including President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam—received communications from US Ambassador Michel Aoun and other high-ranking Washington officials. These communications included advice to continue negotiations with Israel, despite doubts expressed by some regarding their effectiveness amid Israeli escalations.

Ambassador Aoun requested a cessation of all attacks carried out by Hezbollah against any Israeli targets anywhere for at least 48 hours. In return, he proposed cooperation with Israeli officials to halt the advance of Israeli forces within Lebanese territory.