U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa stated on Thursday that there is broad consensus among the Lebanese people regarding the necessity for Hezbollah to hand over its weapons. Issa noted that he believes communication continues between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah, whether directly or indirectly. He emphasized that the United States consistently calls on Israel to halt and reduce its military strikes in southern Lebanon. On June 26, Lebanon and Israel concluded a framework agreement following five rounds of U.S.-mediated negotiations. The agreement stipulates the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territory in southern Lebanon, and the progressive deployment of the Lebanese Army starting within designated 'pilot areas'. The framework outlines a reciprocal, phased process to restore the Lebanese Army's sovereign authority across all national territory, alongside disarming non-state armed groups and dismantling their military infrastructure. This framework aims to enable the redeployment of Israeli forces outside Lebanese territory under U.S.-backed security arrangements and verification mechanisms. Hezbollah maintains an absolute refusal to engage in direct negotiations with Israel or relinquish its arsenal. Meanwhile, Israel continues to deploy military forces within a designated 10-kilometer 'security zone' along its border in southern Lebanon while continuing air strikes and large-scale demolition operations. Washington announced it will host a new round of mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in early September in Rome, expressing satisfaction with the current trajectory of diplomatic developments. The latest conflict erupted after Hezbollah launched rocket barrages toward Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the onset of the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa stated on Thursday that there is broad consensus among the Lebanese people regarding the necessity for Hezbollah to hand over its weapons. Issa noted that he believes communication continues between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah, whether directly or indirectly. He emphasized that the United States consistently calls on Israel to halt and reduce its military strikes in southern Lebanon. On June 26, Lebanon and Israel concluded a framework agreement following five rounds of U.S.-mediated negotiations. The agreement stipulates the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territory in southern Lebanon, and the progressive deployment of the Lebanese Army starting within designated 'pilot areas'. The framework outlines a reciprocal, phased process to restore the Lebanese Army's sovereign authority across all national territory, alongside disarming non-state armed groups and dismantling their military infrastructure. This framework aims to enable the redeployment of Israeli forces outside Lebanese territory under U.S.-backed security arrangements and verification mechanisms. Hezbollah maintains an absolute refusal to engage in direct negotiations with Israel or relinquish its arsenal. Meanwhile, Israel continues to deploy military forces within a designated 10-kilometer 'security zone' along its border in southern Lebanon while continuing air strikes and large-scale demolition operations. Washington announced it will host a new round of mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in early September in Rome, expressing satisfaction with the current trajectory of diplomatic developments. The latest conflict erupted after Hezbollah launched rocket barrages toward Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the onset of the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa stated on Thursday that there is broad consensus among the Lebanese people regarding the necessity for Hezbollah to hand over its weapons. Issa noted that he believes communication continues between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah, whether directly or indirectly. He emphasized that the United States consistently calls on Israel to halt and reduce its military strikes in southern Lebanon. On June 26, Lebanon and Israel concluded a framework agreement following five rounds of U.S.-mediated negotiations. The agreement stipulates the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territory in southern Lebanon, and the progressive deployment of the Lebanese Army starting within designated 'pilot areas'. The framework outlines a reciprocal, phased process to restore the Lebanese Army's sovereign authority across all national territory, alongside disarming non-state armed groups and dismantling their military infrastructure. This framework aims to enable the redeployment of Israeli forces outside Lebanese territory under U.S.-backed security arrangements and verification mechanisms. Hezbollah maintains an absolute refusal to engage in direct negotiations with Israel or relinquish its arsenal. Meanwhile, Israel continues to deploy military forces within a designated 10-kilometer 'security zone' along its border in southern Lebanon while continuing air strikes and large-scale demolition operations. Washington announced it will host a new round of mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in early September in Rome, expressing satisfaction with the current trajectory of diplomatic developments. The latest conflict erupted after Hezbollah launched rocket barrages toward Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the onset of the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
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U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Asserts Consensus on Hezbollah Disarmament Ahead of Rome Talks
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