First contact established between Lebanese, Israeli ambassadors in US, meeting to be held Tuesday

The Lebanese Presidency announced that the United States will act as a mediator between Lebanon and Israel, following a diplomatic initiative aimed at securing a ceasefire and launching direct negotiations.

The move comes after a series of international and regional contacts led by President Joseph Aoun amid escalating Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

According to the statement, the U.S. administration has tasked the U.S. Department of State with overseeing mediation efforts between the two sides.

In this context, and at the instructions of the Lebanese president, Lebanon's ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, held a phone call at 9 p.m. Beirut time with Israel's ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter.

The call, the first of its kind, was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michael Issa, who is currently in Washington.

Participants agreed to hold a first meeting next Tuesday at the State Department to discuss announcing a ceasefire and setting a timeline for the start of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under U.S. sponsorship.