Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held a historic face-to-face meeting at the U.S
By Bernie,
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held a historic face-to-face meeting at the U.S. State Department today, the most senior direct engagement ever between the two countries. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh met in a private room alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, State Department Counselor Mike Needham, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, who are facilitating the talks.
Israel entered the meeting seeking to advance Hezbollah's disarmament and discuss the framework for an eventual peace treaty with Lebanon. Beirut's primary objective is securing a ceasefire in the ongoing fighting, something Israel has so far ruled out. Two sources directly involved in the meeting told BNN that expectations for a breakthrough are low.
The ambassadors did not shake hands before entering the room and the officials took no questions from reporters.
Topics: Lebanon & Hezbollah, Diplomacy
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