Lebanese PM: Washington Talks Produced a Negotiation Framework, Not an Agreement
The outcome of recent talks in Washington was not an agreement or treaty, but rather the establishment of a trilateral framework and guiding principles for future negotiations.
Lebanon, PUREWILAYAH.COM – Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Wednesday that the outcome of recent talks in Washington was not an agreement or treaty, but rather the establishment of a trilateral framework and guiding principles for future negotiations.
According to Al Jazeera, Salam did not provide further details regarding the framework.
He added that Lebanon’s priority in the next rounds of negotiations is to establish a timetable for the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Lebanon Reaffirms Negotiation Track
Earlier, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said the negotiation process launched by the Lebanese government is the only path toward a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and a lasting agreement that guarantees Lebanon’s stability, rights, sovereignty, and national interests.
While expressing appreciation for the efforts and initiatives of friendly countries, Rajji stressed that the current stage requires unified domestic, regional, and international efforts in support of the single negotiating track being pursued by the Lebanese government.
He called on all international partners to support the negotiation process as the only legitimate framework capable of achieving a genuine and lasting settlement. Rajji argued that parallel tracks and alternative frameworks that seek to address the Lebanon file outside the authority of the Lebanese government would only create divisions and weaken Lebanon’s negotiating position.
Israeli Leaders Insist on Maintaining Military Presence
Rajji’s remarks came as Israeli War Minister Israel Katz reiterated on Wednesday that Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon.
“Our army will remain in the security buffer zone in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza without any time limit,” Katz said, adding that Israel would not withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reaffirmed that Israeli troops would continue their military presence in southern Lebanon after establishing a buffer zone along the northern border.
Speaking at a memorial ceremony for those killed during the Second Lebanon War (the 33-Day War), Netanyahu claimed that Iran is seeking to force Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon, but said Israel would not allow that objective to be achieved.
The Israeli prime minister also said Tel Aviv would seek to reach an agreement with Lebanon in the future, while insisting that such an agreement would not prevent Israel from maintaining its military presence in southern Lebanon for “as long as necessary.”
Netanyahu made similar remarks a day earlier, saying Israel would not withdraw from occupied areas of southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains what he described as a threat to the regime’s security. (PW)