US envoy Amos Hochstein visited Beirut on Tuesday, where he called for an “urgent” de-escalation in cross-border exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the Zionist entity.
After he met Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri, Hochstein said the US is trying to avert a greater war between ‘Israel’ and the Lebanese resistance group.
“The conflict… between Israel and Hezbollah has gone on for long enough,” the US presidential envoy said in Beirut.
“It’s in everyone’s interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically — that is both achievable and it is urgent.”
Hochstein said Washington is seeking to avoid “a greater war” in the region, describing the situation along the border as “serious,” and said “that is why US President Joe Biden dispatched him to Lebanon.”
“A ceasefire in Gaza and, or, an alternative diplomatic solution could also bring the conflict across the Blue Line to an end and allow the return of displaced civilians to southern Lebanon and northern Israel,” the envoy added.
Hochstein the met caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.
During talks with Mikati, the Lebanese acting PM affirmed that “Lebanon does not seek escalation, and what is required is to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and to return to calm and stability on the southern border.”
#UPDATE ⚡️🇺🇸🇱🇧—The American envoy Amos Hochstein met with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati. pic.twitter.com/or8QPvyrZp
— UK R REPORT (@UKR_Report) June 18, 2024
“We continue to seek to stop the escalation, restore security and stability, and cease the ongoing violations of Lebanese sovereignty and the acts of systematic killing and destruction committed by Israel,” Mikati underlined, as quoted by National News Agency.
For his part, Hochstein made a brief statement following the meeting, in which he said: “As usual, I had good discussions with the Prime Minister. We are passing through serious times and critical moments, and we are working together to try to find ways to reach a place where we prevent further escalation, as I mentioned in my previous statement.”
Source: Agencies
