It is not clear from his post who exactly Trump means by the leaders of both countries. Lebanon’s Prime Minister is Nawaf Salam, his Israeli counterpart is Benjamin Netanyahu. The presidents of both countries are Joseph Aoun and Izchak Herzog. It’s about trying to “create some air between Israel and Lebanon,” wrote Trump. Representatives of both states met in Washington on Tuesday evening for the first time in decades for direct talks at the political level.
Lebanese government circles said this morning that they only found out about the planned conversation from the media. Media reported a possible telephone conversation. There was initially no official confirmation from the government.
There was initially no confirmation of a planned conversation from Netanyahu’s office either.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said negotiations were underway with Lebanon, according to his office on Wednesday evening. There are two central goals, explained the Prime Minister: the disarmament of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia “and secondly, lasting peace. Peace through strength.” The Lebanese government, which is not a party to the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, wants to achieve a ceasefire and a withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from southern Lebanon.
According to media reports, the Israeli security cabinet wanted to discuss a ceasefire that same evening, but the meeting ended without a decision, wrote “Axios” reporter Barak Ravid on the platform X. (sda/dpa)