Al-Jadeed TV revealed on Saturday differences between the United States and France over the renewal of the mandate of the UNIFIL force operating in southern Lebanon.
Washington wants a one-year renewal, which would be the last, while Paris wants a renewal without specifying a duration.
Political sources told the channel that meetings held in Paris have not yet resolved this dispute, while the UN Security Council meeting scheduled to discuss the renewal issue is approaching in two weeks.
Despite the US administration's dismay at the statements made by Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem, the same sources indicated that Washington is satisfied with Lebanon's official position and does not intend to exert pressure on the Lebanese state in this regard.
While Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri awaits the results of the visit by the US delegation, which includes US special envoy to Lebanon Tom Barrack and his predecessor Morgan Ortagus, Al-Jadeed noted that “the ball is now in the Lebanese government's court,” which has already made a decision regarding its position on UNIFIL and must now determine how to proceed.
The data indicates that discussions with the US delegation will not be limited to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, but will also directly address the future of the international forces' mandate in the South, amid growing diplomatic pressure as the renewal date approaches.
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