Lebanon calls for ‘reciprocal’ progress on Israel deal as disarming Hezbollah remains stalled
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Washington on Monday as the US tries to advance a peace deal between Beirut and Israel. Negotiations on the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon framework that was initially agreed to in June have slowed amid continuing Israeli bombing of southern Lebanon, despite a supposed ceasefire. Meanwhile, Lebanon has failed to disarm…
Lebanon has been seeking progress on an Israel deal, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosting Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Washington. However, negotiations on the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon framework have slowed due to ongoing Israeli bombing of southern Lebanon and Lebanon's failure to disarm Hezbollah, which was a crucial part of the deal.
When asked about the meeting, Mr Salam expressed hope for a "renewed partnership" with the US, emphasizing the need for a reciprocal, step-by-step process with clear timelines and credible verification. Implementing the deal should coincide with Israeli withdrawal and extending Lebanese state authority, he added. Lebanon insists that Israel must withdraw first, while Israel argues that Hezbollah must be disarmed before any further Israeli withdrawal.
Lebanon has partially disarmed Hezbollah but has yet to dismantle it, leading to a stalemate in talks. US officials are urging Lebanon to take proactive measures against Iranian and Hezbollah financial networks, as well as advance key financial sector reforms to restore confidence in Lebanon's banking system.
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