Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington concludes after two hours

The meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington concluded after about two hours at the State Department.

The US brokered direct talks between Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

No date for a follow-up meeting has been set.

“As the president has made clear, there is no link between the negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad and the Israel-Lebanon talks,” the State Department official says.

“Iran dragged the Lebanese people into a war so it cannot pretend to be Lebanon’s protector,” the official continues. “Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that does not deserve a place. It must be fully disarmed and the United States supports that goal. Iran will not be allowed to dictate the future of Lebanon any more. These talks are part of that effort.”

Separately, the State Department official notes that Washington recently approved $58.8 million in new humanitarian programs to help provide lifesaving assistance to the over 1 million Lebanese civilians who have been displaced by the ongoing Israeli bombing campaign.

News.Az