Tarek Mitri to LBCI: Truce needed to begin negotiations, Hezbollah also seeks ceasefire

Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri told LBCI that what is needed is at minimum a truce that would allow negotiations to take place, noting that such talks are usually held in calm conditions rather than amid military operations. 

He said they are awaiting the outcome of the meeting, stressing that what matters is not only what the Israeli ambassador will say, but also what U.S. Secretary of State Michael Needham will announce, adding that talk of a ceasefire is effectively also talk of a temporary truce.

Mitri explained that the President of the Republic is the one who negotiates on behalf of Lebanon in coordination with the Prime Minister regarding the launch of talks, emphasizing that Lebanon’s ambassador in Washington represents the Lebanese government and not Hezbollah. 

He added, however, that what is known from Hezbollah’s declared positions is that it also wants a ceasefire.

He further said there is nothing in Tuesday’s 

meeting that violates Lebanese law, noting that negotiations with Israel have taken place before. 

He argued that negotiation itself does not constitute recognition of Israel or the signing of an agreement, but rather a form of contact. He stressed that the war is still ongoing in the south and in Bint Jbeil, with continued shelling and no firm guarantees of keeping Beirut out of harm’s way, which is why there are calls for a ceasefire or a truce to enable discussions on how to negotiate with Israel.