Khaberni - The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a significant meeting in Naqoura between the Deputy Head of Foreign Policy in the office, an American counselor, and Lebanese representatives, describing the atmosphere of the meeting as "positive".
The Israeli authorities clarified that "the disarmament of Hezbollah is a mandatory condition regardless of the enhancement of economic cooperation".
Netanyahu's office confirmed that both parties agreed during the meeting to continue the dialogue, pointing out that this development indicates that the diplomatic path seeks to find a potential settlement combining Lebanon's economic gains with the security and military demands of the occupation.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in his statements, declared his country's readiness to engage in "beyond-military negotiations" with the occupation, emphasizing that "Hezbollah's arms neither deterred the occupation nor protected Lebanon," confirming that "the state has regained control over war and peace decisions".
The Background of Escalation and Rejection of Adventures
Nawaf Salam also confirmed that evaluations by envoys who visited Beirut indicate that "the situation is serious and prone to escalation," although the messages from the occupation received by Lebanon about a potential escalation are "not linked to specific timelines".
Salam emphasized that "we will not allow adventures that lead us into a new war," calling for learning lessons from Gaza's experience of resistance.
Nawaf Salam directly addressed Hezbollah, demanding that handing over weapons be considered one of the key elements for engaging in the state-building project. He described the step of including a former Lebanese diplomat in the negotiation committee as "politically safeguarded and supported by a national umbrella," suggesting that Netanyahu went too far in describing this step.
The Lebanese government's stance emphasizes the centrality of the state in making decisions about peace and war, increasing pressure on Hezbollah to reposition itself within the framework of constitutional institutions, especially given warnings of a potential serious escalation.
