Lebanese Ambassador to Washington: Preliminary Meeting 'Good and Constructive,' Calls for November 2024 Agreement Implementation

Beirut - Ekhbary News Agency

Lebanon's Ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Maawad, characterized a preliminary meeting with the Israeli side, held under US auspices, as "good and constructive." She emphasized the urgent need for the full implementation of the November 2024 cessation of hostilities agreement. Maawad expressed gratitude to the American side for hosting and facilitating the discussions, stressing Lebanon's territorial integrity and full state sovereignty, and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the return of displaced persons to their homes.

This development unfolds as Lebanon affirms that the Washington meeting marks the beginning of a negotiation process with Israel aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire. A joint US-Israeli-Lebanese statement confirmed the parties' agreement to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and place. Conversely, prominent Lebanese factions, such as Hezbollah's senior official Nawaf al-Moussawi, who deemed negotiations with Israel a "historic sin," and the Amal Movement, which rejected the meeting and insisted on a ceasefire through a mechanism committee, oppose direct talks. These diplomatic efforts coincide with ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon, with areas like Bint Jbeil witnessing intense clashes, highlighting the significant challenges facing de-escalation efforts.