US envoy Amos Hochstein said he had “constructive” talks in Beirut with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as he met Lebanese officials including PM Najib Mikati on Tuesday.
Hochstein expressed optimism, indicating significant progress in narrowing the gaps between Lebanon and the Zionist entity toward reaching a ceasefire to end the 58-day Israeli aggression on Lebanon.
“Since my last trip to Beirut a few weeks ago, we have had very constructive talks with Speaker Nabih Berri, and we have continued to narrow the gaps through discussions over the last few weeks. Specifically, today we made significant progress,” Hochstein stated after his meeting with Speaker Berri, that was attended by US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson.
هوكستين: اليوم أجرينا محادثات بناءة للغاية مع الرئيس بري وواصلنا معرفة الفجوات
من المؤتمر الصحافي للمبعوث الأميركي آموس هوكستين في عين التينة عقب لقائه رئيس مجلس النواب نبيه بري
Hochstein: Today we had very constructive conversations with Speaker Berri and we continued to… pic.twitter.com/vbhtFcjzhT
— nbnlebanon (@nbntweets) November 19, 2024
Hochstein emphasized the critical timing of the negotiations.
“I came back because we have a real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end. This is a moment of decision-making. I’m here in Beirut to facilitate that decision, but ultimately, it’s up to the parties to reach a conclusion to this conflict. It is now within our grasp. As the window is open, I hope the coming days yield a resolute decision,” he said.
The US envoy then met with Mikati, who reiterated that the government’s priority is to stop the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, while ensuring Lebanese sovereignty over all its territory. He emphasized that any actions that help achieve this goal are a top priority.
The Lebanese premier also pointed out that the main concern of the government is the swift return of displaced people to their villages and towns.
Hochstein arrived in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday, landing at Rafic Hariri International Airport around 8:00 am. Hochstein’s visit comes amid cautious optimism from Lebanese officials, including Speaker Berri and PM Mikati, about the prospects of reaching an agreement .
Lebanon delivered a response to a proposed US draft ceasefire agreement to the US embassy in Beirut yesterday. This came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the “freedom of action for the Israeli army” and preventing weapons from entering Lebanon from Syria – remarks seen as an attempt to gain political ground he has failed to achieve militarily.
The resistance’s response to Netanyahu’s aggression was swift and painful. Yesterday, the resistance launched heavy missiles that reached the heart of Tel Aviv, directly hitting a building and sparking a fire in the Ramat Gan area, resulting in injuries among Israeli settlers. The Islamic Resistance also announced an air attack using suicide drones on sensitive military targets in Tel Aviv.
As Hochstein arrives in Beirut to broker a ceasefire, the resistance has made it clear it will not back down in the face of continued Israeli aggression, raising the stakes in this high-stakes diplomatic dance.
Source: Agencies (edited and translated by Al-Manar English Website)
