Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has called for a clear timetable for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory, while Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem strongly criticised the government’s approach to negotiations.
Salam made the demand during a meeting with US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and General Joseph Clearfield, who heads the US military coordination group for Lebanon. The talks focused on the military track of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel and the latest developments in southern Lebanon.
Salam urged Israel to halt its destruction operations, expand the designated pilot areas and establish a clear timetable for withdrawing from Lebanese territory.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri also met the US officials and accused Israel of continuing attacks, demolitions, farmland destruction, forest fires and damage to heritage sites. He said lasting stability would require Israel to end its military operations and withdraw to the internationally recognised border.
However, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected Beirut’s approach, accusing Lebanese officials of exposing the Lebanese army to Israeli pressure and bombardment.
Qassem questioned the effectiveness of the agreement, pointing to continued Israeli attacks and demolitions in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, the first designated pilot zone, despite the presence of Lebanese army forces.
US Ambassador Issa said Israeli attacks would stop only if Hezbollah surrendered its weapons. Under the June trilateral framework, Hezbollah would be disarmed while Israeli forces would gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Israel, however, has insisted that it will not withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed. Israeli forces continue to occupy several areas inside southern Lebanon.
The next round of negotiations is expected to resume in early September. Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 4,335 people, wounded 12,277 and displaced more than one million.
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