Israel-Lebanon talks: Trump announces first leaders' meeting in 30+ years
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
The United States, which is acting as a mediator in the planned talks between Israel and Lebanon, announced the start of these negotiations as early as tomorrow, Friday, April 17, US President Donald Trump reports.
"Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice," Trump wrote.
The day before, a meeting between representatives of Lebanon and Israel took place in Washington, which launched direct negotiations between the countries, which Washington had been pushing for.
On the American side, the process involved US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US State Department adviser Michael Needham, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, and US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz.
History of Hezbollah's creation and long confrontation with Israel
As is known, Israel previously sent troops into southern Lebanon to fight Palestinian militants. After that, part of the territory remained under its control until 2000.
However, against the backdrop of Israel's presence in Lebanon and with Iran's support, Hezbollah was formed in the south of the country as a force of resistance against Israel.
Even after the withdrawal of Israeli troops in 2000, the terrorist group Hezbollah has for a long time fought Israel over the border territories.
Washington is interested in a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, where the terrorist group Hezbollah is located, as this would ease the conflict in the Middle East, which the United States and Iran are currently seeking.
At the same time, on April 9, Israel announced its intention to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon to establish peace and disarm Hezbollah.
However, earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran does not apply to hostilities against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and therefore, operations in this region will continue.
