U.S. Ultimatum Challenges Lebanon: Negotiate with Israel or Face Consequences
Lebanon faces a U.S. ultimatum to initiate negotiations with Israel by month-end. Reports indicate that Washington may withdraw support if Lebanon does not comply. The U.S. seeks discussions on prisoners, territorial disputes, and border resolutions, while Lebanese officials express opposition to normalization. Divisions within Lebanese society complicate the response, with Hezbollah’s influence being a central issue.
Lebanon is confronted with a U.S. ultimatum to establish civilian committees for negotiations with Israel by the month’s end, as reported on Thursday. Morgan Ortagus, the Deputy U.S. envoy to the Middle East, communicated to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam that refusal to comply could lead to Washington withdrawing from the oversight committee, thus granting Israel greater operational freedom.
The deadline for Lebanon to initiate talks is deemed “non-negotiable” by the Americans, who are advocating for immediate negotiations beyond solely military issues. U.S. officials are urging the formation of “diplomatic working groups” to focus on releasing Lebanese prisoners, addressing the Israeli withdrawal from contested areas, and resolving outstanding border disputes.
While Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji emphasized Lebanon’s opposition to normalization with Israel, the government faces a challenging predicament. It must balance the potential for heightened Israeli aggression against the internal opposition to any perceived normalization efforts, particularly from Hezbollah supporters, who vehemently reject peace negotiations, labeling Israel as the “Zionist enemy.”
Social media sentiment reflects this divide, with Hezbollah-aligned users rallying against normalization under hashtags like لبنان_ضد_التطبيع. Despite this, more moderate segments within Lebanon are expressing fatigue over ongoing conflicts, with some advocating for a peace deal with Israel, as they feel held back by Hezbollah’s influence.
Diplomatic dialogues suggest that the Lebanese president may propose incorporating civilian specialists into the military oversight committee to navigate the complexities of the U.S. proposal without outright acceptance or rejection, reflecting a nuanced approach in these tense negotiations.
In conclusion, Lebanon stands at a critical juncture as it faces a U.S. ultimatum to engage in negotiations with Israel. The government grapples with internal dissent against normalization and external pressures suggesting military escalation. Moderate voices within Lebanon are increasingly advocating for stability, while the pervasive influence of Hezbollah poses significant challenges to any potential agreements. The delicate balance of addressing both national sentiment and international expectations is paramount as Lebanon navigates this pressing situation.
Original Source: vinnews.com
