Lebanon, Israel to hold 1st meeting at US State Department Tuesday: Lebanese presidency

Lebanon and Israel agreed to hold their first meeting on Tuesday at the US State Department in Washington aimed at securing a ceasefire and launching direct talks, the Lebanese presidency said Friday evening.

In a statement on the US social media company X, the presidency said the move comes as part of an initiative by President Joseph Aoun.

As part of the process, and based on instructions from Aoun, Lebanon’s Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh Moawad held a phone call with Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter, in what was described as “the first” contact between the two sides.

US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, who is currently in Washington, also participated in the call.

During the call, it was agreed to hold a first meeting next Tuesday at the US State Department headquarters to discuss the announcement of a ceasefire and the timing for the start of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under US auspices.