Ceasefire

Josep Borrell Concludes Third Visit to Lebanon

On his third and final visit to Lebanon, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Discussions focused on regional stability and exploring pathways toward a potential ...

Rai: Whoever Negotiates the Ceasefire Is Illegitimate in the Absence of a President

Maronite patriarch Bechara Rai strongly condemned the fact that the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel is being negotiated in the absence of a President of the Republic, a position at the head of the State which has been vacant since October 31, 2022. He stated that this “renders the talks illegitimate,” as it is an integral part of the ...

Hochstein’s Tour: Key Issues in US Proposed Ceasefire Deal Remain Unresolved

US Presidential envoy Amos Hochstein wrapped up his regional tour on Friday, aimed at promoting an American proposal for a ceasefire in Lebanon, leaving Tel Aviv without issuing any public statements after his meetings. Israeli officials also remained tight-lipped, even as the Israeli military escalated its raids and advanced further into Lebanese ...

Naim Qassem: Hezbollah to Facilitate Presidential Election, Upholds Taif

Hezbollah’s Secretary General Naim Qassem has sought to woe the Lebanese opposed to the war that his pro-Iranian party initiated “in support for Gaza” by promising to facilitate the long-delayed election of a president of the Republic and respect the terms of the Taif Agreement, which ended the 1975-1990 civil war in Lebanon. “We will ...

UN to Vote Again on Gaza Ceasefire, US Plans Unclear

The UN Security Council is expected to vote Wednesday on another draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in its latest attempt to exert pressure to end the war. But the draft could be blocked by the United States, Israel's main ally. The latest draft of the resolution demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in the ...

An Imminent Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah Is Unlikely

With much apprehension mixed with shy hope, the Lebanese are closely following the visit of US envoy Amos Hochstein who will be relaying Lebanon’s response to Israel regarding a ceasefire proposal. Lebanon announced that Hezbollah has agreed to the US proposal, though it made certain comments, stressing that UN Resolution 1701 should be the ...

One Party Leads Ceasefire Negotiations

The reported ceasefire negotiations between Hezbollah and Israel are not the first of their kind between Lebanon and Israel, given the indirect involvement of key Lebanese officials like Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. However, these talks are the first to take place amid a presidential vacancy that has ...

Hochstein in Lebanon and Israel: A New Diplomatic Mirage?

In the absence of an “Iran-Israel-US deal,” any roadmap for a ceasefire in Lebanon seems destined to fail. What about a proposal that, in both substance and form, brings no changes (being similar to the previous one) and for which each party continues to express reservations? According to various media sources, US envoy Amos Hochstein is ...

The American Ceasefire Plan Put to the Test

Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati received a 13-point US ceasefire proposal from US Ambassador Lisa Johnson. Berri, who forwarded the proposal to Hezbollah for review and feedback, announced that Lebanon's response would soon be issued in writing, with amendments. He explained that "the proposal ...