Israel, Lebanon Agree to Direct Talks in First High-Level Meeting Since 1993

First high-level meeting since 1993

Ceasefire, Hezbollah disarmament discussed

US appears to exclude Lebanon truce from Iran talks

Israel and Lebanon, which have effectively remained in a state of war since Israel's founding, agreed to launch direct negotiations at talks mediated by the US.

Iran has argued that Lebanon should be included in its talks with the US on ending the conflict. But the meeting produced no agreement on a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Mouawad and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter met on April 14 at the State Department in Washington with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials. It was the first high-level meeting between Lebanon and Israel since 1993, as the two countries do not have diplomatic relations.

After about two hours of talks, the State Department said in a statement that "all parties agreed to commence direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and place."

The department said the US "congratulates both countries on this historic milestone" and supports further discussions, adding that it hopes a comprehensive peace agreement can be reached.

It also said any agreement to halt hostilities must be reached between the two governments through US mediation, not through a separate channel.

The New York Times interpreted that as a message to Iran that a ceasefire in Lebanon is not part of US-Iran negotiations.

Leiter told reporters after the meeting that "today we learned that we are on the same side," describing the talks as positive.

Mouawad said the discussions were constructive and that she called for a ceasefire during the meeting.

Before the talks, Rubio called the moment a "historic opportunity" and said he expected progress toward permanently ending Hezbollah's influence over the past 20 to 30 years.

The talks focused on a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the long-term disarmament of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon, and a peace agreement between the two countries.

Questions remain, however, about how effective negotiations between Israel and Lebanon can be, given that the fighting in Lebanon has been between Israel and Hezbollah rather than the regular armed forces of Israel and Lebanon.

Hezbollah has opposed all talks between the Israeli and Lebanese governments. Even if the two governments reach an agreement, implementation would be a separate challenge.

Since its founding in 1948, Israel has effectively remained in conflict with Lebanon, where many Palestinians were displaced. Hezbollah is not just an armed group but also a political faction that holds a substantial number of seats in Lebanon's parliament.

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is also tied to negotiations between the US and Iran. Israel has continued its attacks, saying Lebanon was not included in the two-week ceasefire agreement reached between the US and Iran on April 7, while Iran is pressing Washington to accept a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The US and Iran met in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11 but failed to narrow differences over issues including Iran giving up its nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz. With the two-week ceasefire set to end on April 21, the two sides may resume talks as early as April 16.

Ko Jeong-sam, Hankyung.com reporter, jsk@hankyung.com