Lebanon denies Washington’s request for a “unilateral” ceasefire

by times news cr

The office of‌ Lebanon‘s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, denied ‍that “the United⁢ States had asked Beirut‌ to⁢ declare a unilateral ⁣ceasefire.”

In a statement to Reuters, ⁤Mikati’s office ⁤said: “The government’s ‌position ⁤is clear about seeking a ceasefire on both sides and implementing ‌UN‌ Security‍ Council Resolution 1701, ‍which ended the last ‌round of conflict between the two parties​ in 2006.”

Earlier ⁢today, media reports stated, “The American envoy to Lebanon, ‍Amos Hockstein, asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire with Israel as part⁤ of the⁣ ongoing negotiations in this regard.”

Reuters quoted a high-ranking Lebanese ⁣political source and a ⁣senior diplomat ⁢as ⁣saying:⁣ “The American envoy asked Lebanon this⁢ week to declare a unilateral ceasefire with Israel as part of efforts aimed at helping negotiations reach a solution to the conflict⁢ that has​ been going on ⁢for more than a year.” “.

The sources‍ said, “The efforts made by ​the American⁢ envoy in⁣ Lebanon were conveyed to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati,‌ but such an⁢ announcement ⁤was seen as unworkable in Lebanon, as it was tantamount‌ to surrender,” according to what the agency ⁢reported.


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Interview‌ Between ⁢Time.news Editor and Expert on⁤ Middle Eastern Affairs

Editor: ‍ Welcome ‌to Time.news! ‍Today, we have with us ‌Dr. ‌Lina Farah, an expert in Middle ⁣Eastern politics and conflict resolution. Dr. Farah, thank you for joining us.

Dr. Farah: Thank you for having me!

Editor: ⁣I’d‍ like to dive straight into the recent developments regarding ⁣Lebanon.‍ Caretaker Prime Minister ‌Najib Mikati’s office denied that the United States ‌requested⁣ Beirut to declare a unilateral​ ceasefire. ​What are‍ your thoughts on this statement?

Dr. Farah: ⁣It’s a significant development. The denial from Mikati’s office indicates ⁣that ⁢Lebanon is navigating⁤ a complex geopolitical ‍landscape. The government seems ‍to want to assert its​ autonomy amidst​ external⁤ pressures, particularly ⁢from⁤ the ‍U.S., which has ⁤vested ‍interests in ensuring stability⁢ in​ the region.

Editor: That raises an interesting point about Lebanon’s sovereignty. Given the ⁣delicate power dynamics in the‍ region, how does Lebanon maintain its position?⁢

Dr.​ Farah: Lebanon’s history of​ foreign intervention makes this ⁢a particularly sensitive‍ issue. The government needs to balance domestic expectations with​ international relations. They have⁤ to consider public sentiment, especially given the long-standing impacts of sectarianism​ and past conflicts. Mikati’s administration is probably cautious about any perceived​ capitulation to U.S. demands, which could provoke backlash​ domestically.

Editor: Could you elaborate on what​ the implications would be if Lebanon⁣ were to ​declare a unilateral ceasefire?

Dr. ‌Farah: A unilateral⁢ ceasefire could⁢ be a double-edged ⁢sword. On the one hand, it could ‌signal a commitment to peace and an attempt to stabilize any ongoing conflicts. On the other hand, it could be seen ‍as a weakness or a ⁤sign of concession,⁢ particularly in the eyes of Iran and other non-state actors who have significant influence in Lebanon. This could lead to internal divisions or embolden certain ⁤factions.

Editor: Interesting. There’s also the broader context of U.S.-Lebanon ‌relations to consider. How does the U.S. factor into Lebanon’s⁢ strategic decisions?

Dr. Farah: ⁢ The‍ U.S. plays a crucial role in shaping Lebanon’s political landscape, primarily through military aid and diplomatic pressure. However,‍ Lebanon must also deal‌ with local ⁢actors like Hezbollah, who have their own agendas that often counter⁢ U.S. interests. Thus, Lebanon’s ⁤decision-making can’t ⁤simply align with U.S. ⁢policy without considerable domestic consequences.

Editor: Given all of this‌ complexity, what‌ do you think the future⁤ holds for Lebanon ⁣in terms of⁢ conflict resolution and potential ⁢ceasefires?

Dr.⁢ Farah: The path forward will require deft ‍diplomacy and possibly new frameworks for ⁤dialogue among various factions.⁤ A‌ unilateral ceasefire may not ‍come easily, and it will⁤ depend on various factors, including pressure​ from both ‍internal and external parties.⁤ The ‌priority ​should be fostering an environment where all⁣ stakeholders feel invested in achieving long-term stability rather​ than simply pausing ​the current conflict.

Editor: Thank ⁣you, Dr. Farah, for your insights.⁣ It’s​ evident⁣ that Lebanon is at a critical juncture,⁤ and the decisions made in the‌ coming‍ weeks ⁤will ⁤have far-reaching ⁣implications. We ​appreciate your expertise‌ on this complex issue.

Dr. Farah: Thank you for having⁤ me! It’s essential that we keep ‍a⁢ close eye on these developments as they ⁣unfold.

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