Israel and Lebanon hold first direct talks in decades in Washington

Washington: Lebanon and Israel have held their first diplomatic talks after three decades on Tuesday. The meeting held in Washington aimed to end the fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah group. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio mediated between Israel and Lebanon. This conversation has taken place at a time when preparations are being made for the second round of talks between Iran and America after the failure of the Islamabad talks. This has raised hopes of peace in the entire region. 

What did US say?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks between Lebanon and Israel as a historic opportunity. However, he made it clear that there would not be any immediate breakthrough agreement. Hezbollah is opposing the talks and no representative of its party attended the meeting.

In a statement issued by the US State Department, this has been described as a good step towards starting direct talks between Israel and Lebanon

The State Department said that America wants an agreement to end the hostilities to be reached between the two governments, in which America would be the mediator. 

US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said after the talks that both Israel and Lebanon have agreed to work towards reducing the influence of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is an influential group in Lebanon, which controls a large area. 

Tommy Pigott further stated that Lebanon called for a ceasefire and concrete measures to address the grave humanitarian crisis in the country. He added that the United States expressed its support for Israel's right to defend itself from Hezbollah attacks.

Earlier, a statement issued by the US said that both sides have agreed to start direct talks. Its time and place will be decided later. There are no diplomatic relations between Israel and Lebanon. The last direct high-level talks between the two countries took place in the year 1993.

What about Israeli attacks in Lebanon?

Israel launched attacks in Lebanon on March 2. Over 2,000 people have been killed in the nearly month-and-a-half of Israeli bombings in Lebanon. Fighting and attacks between Hezbollah and Israel continued until the two sides met on Tuesday.

What did Lebanon say?

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed hope that the talks would alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people, especially those living in the south. He said the only solution to the conflict would be for the army to take full responsibility for the region's security.

Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, said further details about the next round of talks would be shared “in due course.” 

Calling the first meeting as constructive, she stressed the urgency of addressing the humanitarian situation caused by the ongoing conflict.

“I called for a ceasefire and the return of displaced persons to their homes. I also called for the adoption of practical measures to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis that Lebanon continues to endure as a result of the ongoing conflict,” Moawad said.

What did Hezbollah say about the agreement?

A senior Hezbollah member told the media  that his faction would not accept any agreement reached in Washington. Hezbollah is a militia group formed in 1982 and has a stronghold in Lebanon's Shiite-dominated south as well as the southern suburbs of the capital, Beirut.