Lebanon says it gave a “positive” response to the ceasefire proposal but qualifies that there are still flaws

The Lebanese Prime Minister affirms that “there are things that are not clear” and advocates addressing them in person with Hochstein during a visit to Beirut

Nov. 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The interim prime minister of Lebanon, Nayib Mikati, stated this Monday that Beirut has given a “positive” response to the ceasefire proposal presented by the United States, although he stressed that there are still points to discuss ahead of the visit. which Washington’s envoy, Amos Hochstein, is expected to make to the country on Tuesday.

Mikati stated in an interview with Al Araby TV that the response has been “positive, with some nuances.” “There are some things that are not clear and we want to clarify them so that there is no confusion in the future,” he said, before adding that a “face to face” discussion could speed up the talks.

In this sense, he has emphasized that the Lebanese authorities hope to achieve a ceasefire “as soon as possible” and has reiterated Beirut’s support for the application of resolution 1701 of the United Nations Security Council, which would imply the withdrawal of the party. -Shiite militia Hezbollah north of the Litani River, located about 30 kilometers from the border with Israel.

Likewise, he stressed that the president of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, is leading talks with Hochstein – who could soon make a new trip to Lebanon and Israel – about a possible ceasefire. “I am in constant contact with him,” he said, before emphasizing the need to put an end to “the destruction and bloodshed” in the country.

During the day, parliamentarian Simon abú Ramia stressed that the Lebanese Government had given its “approval” to the United States proposal, in statements made after meeting with Mikati in the Great Seraglio, according to a statement published by the office of the prime minister through his account on the social network X.

The deputy has also pointed out the existence of “a very positive atmosphere” and added that the authorities are waiting for Hochstein’s visit and his meetings with Mikati and Berri in order to move towards a ceasefire. “If there is no maneuvering or bad faith, to which we are accustomed with the Israelis, there will be a positive agreement,” he argued.

Israel unleashed a new invasion of Lebanon on October 1 after several weeks of intense bombing and attacks against the country, including the coordinated explosion of thousands of communication devices used by the Lebanese group, after more than eleven months of fighting with Hezbollah in the border area. Lebanon has reported nearly 3,500 deaths since the outbreak of hostilities on October 8, 2023.

The resurgence in hostilities is part of the clashes that began more than a year ago, after Hezbollah attacked Israeli territory following the attacks carried out on October 7 by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and other Palestinian factions, which led to Israel to unleash a bloody offensive against the Gaza Strip, where more than 43,800 people have already died.