Netanyahu: Wants to start negotiations with Lebanon
Updated 19.47 | Published 17.43
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is instructing his government to "as soon as possible" begin direct negotiations with Lebanon.
Lebanon, however, reportedly wants to see a ceasefire before negotiations begin.
Netanyahu says he made the decision at the request of Lebanon. The talks will focus on disarming the Shiite militia Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon, according to the Israeli prime minister.
- Lebanon wants to see a ceasefire before starting negotiations, a source within the Lebanese government tells AFP.
The talks are expected to begin next week in Washington, a source with insight into the planning tells AP.
Lebanese MP Ali Fayyad, who represents Hezbollah, reiterated the Shiite movement’s opposition to direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. He added that the Lebanese government should demand a ceasefire as a condition before taking “further steps.”
Netanyahu’s statement comes after Israel carried out extensive attacks on densely populated areas in the Lebanese capital Beirut and southern Lebanon on Wednesday. More than 300 people were killed in the attacks – which also put severe pressure on the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Israel says the attacks were directed at Hezbollah targets.
Israel has also been carrying out a ground invasion of Lebanon for several weeks. Since the escalated Israeli attacks began on March 2, 1,888 people have been killed and 6,092 injured in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
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