Two parallel tracks are underway between Lebanon and Israel to ensure the withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories. The first is the fifth round of direct talks scheduled for next Monday in Washington.
The second track involves pressure from Iran. Tehran reportedly demands Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese lands before the nuclear agreement process with Washington is finalized.
From the start, Lebanon has insisted that demands in direct contacts with Israel be addressed as a package. At the forefront of this package is the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territories occupied during the war.
Key Topics on the Table in Washington Talks
The Lebanese presidency announced that President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed preparations on Tuesday. The talks in Washington are expected to continue from Monday to Wednesday, focusing on developments in security and diplomatic sessions.
Aoun and Salam described the US-Iran agreement as a positive factor that could reduce regional tensions and open the door to peaceful solutions. They also reiterated Lebanon’s stance in the Washington talks.
This stance includes a final ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, deployment of the Lebanese army up to the international border, release of Lebanese detainees, and the start of reconstruction efforts.
Separate Track with Iran and Hezbollah
A source close to the Shia duo in Lebanon said Iran told Hezbollah it would not sign the agreement before Israel fully withdraws from Lebanese territory. The Shia duo consists of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
According to the same source, the agreement includes a ceasefire, cessation of Israeli attacks, and guarantees for Lebanon’s territorial integrity. The source said this implies an Israeli commitment that must be guaranteed by the US.
The source added that Iran informed Hezbollah that after signing the agreement, Israel must begin a phased withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories and complete it before the nuclear deal is signed. This timeline is linked to a 60-day period.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also stated on Tuesday that the war cannot be considered over until Israeli forces withdraw from the occupied lands. He warned that any future Israeli military attacks on Lebanon or occupation of its lands would be considered a violation of the agreement.
Divergent Views in Lebanese Domestic Politics
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem sent a thank-you message to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. In his message, Qassem said that Israel’s immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts is the first and fundamental article of the Iran-US agreement.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Ghalibaf also discussed developments related to the US-Iran agreement in a phone call. A statement from the Lebanese parliament said both emphasized the need for the US, guarantors of the agreement, and the international community to assume responsibility.
The statement called for Israel to end the war, stop destroying villages, respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, and immediately withdraw from occupied territories.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah opponents in Lebanon questioned whether Iran can actually force Israel to withdraw. Following an extraordinary meeting of the executive body, the Strong Republic bloc and the Lebanese Forces Party stated that any agreement between the US and Iran concerns only the two states involved.
The statement argued that the ceasefire mentioned in the agreement is general and covers the Middle East region. It also claimed that since the party fighting in Lebanon is Israel, not the US, the agreement would have no practical effect for Lebanon.
These groups accused Tehran of verbally supporting Hezbollah to enable Iran to continue the war for its own goals. They expressed the view that after the devastation experienced by the Lebanese people, what is needed is not just a ceasefire but the complete end of wars through the disarmament of armed groups.
The Kataeb Party also argued that Lebanon should only be concerned with an agreement made through delegations authorized by legitimate institutions elected by the Lebanese state and people. The party stated that representatives in Washington are tasked with strengthening sovereignty, ensuring Israeli withdrawal, stopping attacks, and completing the transfer of the monopoly on arms to the state.
