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Lebanon seeks U.S. pressure on Israel ahead of peace talks
Lebanon (MNN) — Lebanon wants Israeli attacks to stop ahead of peace talks in the United States on Thursday and Friday. On Monday, Lebanon’s president asked the U.S. to pressure Israel to halt its strikes. Hostilities have continued, mostly in southern Lebanon, since U.S. President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire on April 16. Israel has set up a self-declared security zone in the south, saying it aims to guard against Hezbollah attacks. Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says Washington is not an unbiased host for peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. “The U.S. interest is to end conflicts in the Middle East, especially between Israel and its neighboring nations. The U.S.’s desire is that Israel sign a peace agreement with the other neighbors, as it did with Egypt and Jordan,” Melki says. However, peace won’t come easily in Lebanon, especially amid the war involving Iran. Yesterday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem announced that the terrorist group would not surrender and called for an end to direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. “How can we even ensure a ceasefire when the ones sitting at the table are not the ones shooting at each other?” Melki asks. “The Lebanese government is negotiating with Israel, but in fact, it’s Hezbollah that is carrying the gun and shooting at Israel.” Why the ceasefire is complicated Although Lebanon’s government agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Israel, several factors have made the truce largely ineffective on the ground. Hezbollah flag(Photo courtesy Paul Keller via Flickr) First, Lebanon’s government does not control Hezbollah. “Hezbollah’s loyalty is to the Iranian regime – the ones who pay the bills, the ones who provide the weapons,” Melki explains. “A lot of the decision makers among Hezbollah are Iranians as well.” Second, approximately one-third of Lebanon’s population is Shia Muslim, and that community is represented in Lebanon’s government by officials closely aligned with Hezbollah. Last week, Lebanon’s parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, rejected any peace negotiations without guarantees that Israel would halt attacks. “The Speaker of the House, though it sounds like he’s speaking on behalf of Lebanon, in fact is representing the Shia population, seeking their best interest and protecting one group, not the entire nation of Lebanon,” Melki says. “Unfortunately, Lebanon is, though we try not to admit it, a very sectarian nation. The president of the country is always a Christian Maronite, the S...
What does the US hope to achieve from Lebanon-Israel talks?
Inside StoryAs Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue, Hezbollah opposes ceasefire talks in Washington.As Israeli attacks in Lebanon continue despite a ceasefire, the United States is hosting the third round of talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials.Hezbollah opposes the meeting in Washington.Can the process help find a way forward for Lebanon after decades of war?Presenter: Mohammed JamjoomGuests:Ali Rizk – Security and foreign affairs analyst in BeirutJennifer Gavito – Former acting principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairsRami Khouri – Distinguished fellow at the American University of BeirutPublished On 14 May 2026
Israel and Lebanon to meet for third round of direct talks in Washington
Split on Key Issues, Israel and Lebanon to Meet for Third Round of Direct Talks in Washington While Lebanon is demanding a permanent truce and a halt to the destruction of border villages, Israel seeks to retain full freedom of operations in Lebanon until the Hezbollah issue is resolved. It is unclear how the United States will bridge these ...
Lebanon and Israel meet in Washington for tough negotiations under ...
Direct talks begin Thursday between the Israeli government, which has little incentive to compromise, and Lebanese officials unable to disarm Hezbollah, as deadly escalation continues between the ...
