Lebanon has decided to open direct talks with Israel to try to secure a long-term ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said during a call with Poland’s foreign minister.
According to Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski spoke with Raggi about “the latest security developments in Lebanon”. During the conversation, Raggi said Beirut plans to “engage in direct negotiations” with Israel to reach a “permanent ceasefire and ensuring the complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories”.
Sikorski expressed support for Lebanon and stressed Poland’s “categorical rejection” of any attempts to annex “any portion of Lebanese territory” or change its internationally recognised borders.
Renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2, in the wider context of the US-Israeli war on Iran. On April 23, the United States announced a three-week extension of a fragile truce between Lebanon and Israel, though Hezbollah was not part of the agreement.
Hezbollah’s leader has rejected the idea of talks with Israel, warning they would lead to instability.
