Israeli sources revealed to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority that the upcoming round of discussions in Washington between Lebanon and Israel will address sensitive files related to border demarcation and the mechanism for dealing with Hezbollah’s weapons, in conjunction with American efforts to formulate a new security agreement between the two sides.
According to the sources, the discussions will discuss “the mechanism for dismantling Hezbollah,” in addition to the issue of demarcating the borders between Lebanon and Israel, within the framework of the discussions hosted by Washington in the coming days.
The sources added that the US administration is working to formulate a security agreement based on the principle of “separation of forces” between Lebanon and Israel, with the aim of stabilizing the calm and preventing the recurrence of military confrontations on the southern border.
This proposal comes at a time when the Lebanese-Israeli file is witnessing unprecedented political and diplomatic activity, amid continuing military escalation and mutual violations despite the existing truce.
The US State Department announced that Washington would facilitate “intensive” talks between the governments of Lebanon and Israel on May 14 and 15, stressing that the discussions aim to push towards permanent peace and security arrangements and restore Lebanon’s sovereignty over its lands.
On the other hand, these Israeli leaks coincide with the escalation of internal controversy in Lebanon regarding the Hezbollah weapons issue, especially after Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s statements about the state’s commitment to confiscating weapons in its hands, and Hezbollah’s responses rejecting any proposal related to its disarmament.
The information circulated also reflects the extent of the complications that will surround the next round of negotiations, in light of the large discrepancy between the Lebanese and Israeli positions, and the American pressures aimed at installing new security arrangements in the south.
