The governments of Israel and Lebanon agreed yesterday, Wednesday, to “implement a ceasefire” and to create 'pilot zones' under the exclusive control of the Lebanese army, according to a tripartite statement released after two days of talks in Washington under the auspices of the administration of US President Donald Trump.
“As a result of the negotiations conducted under US auspices, Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a ceasefire,” which however has necessary conditions, including “the complete cessation of Hezbollah fire” and “the urgent withdrawal of all Hezbollah members from the area south of the Litani,” the statement said, released by the State Department following the two day tripartite talks.
“The two parties also agreed to immediately create, under US guidance, pilot zones in which the Lebanese armed forces will exercise exclusive control, excluding non state forces,” the text continued, referring to the Iran backed Shiite movement.
These measures, the statement added, will allow the parties to “move towards a comprehensive agreement on peace and security.”
“All countries reaffirmed that the future of relations between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments. They rejected any attempt by any state or non state actor to hold Lebanon’s future hostage,” the text continued, alluding to Iran and Hezbollah.
The governments of Israel and Lebanon also agreed to participate in a new round of talks during the week beginning 22 June with a view to reaching a “comprehensive agreement,” according to the statement.
Earlier, US President Trump insisted that talks concerning Lebanon be “separated” from those regarding Iran.
Tehran rejects this idea, considering that the war is one.
Delegations from the governments of Israel and Lebanon met in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday, while on Wednesday alone Israeli bombardments in Lebanese territory killed nine people, including a soldier and two rescuers.
