Full LBCI interview with Axios Correspondant Barak Ravid on Lebanon talks and ceasefire negotiations

Q:
Barak, thank you for joining us today on LBCI. Let me start with President Trump’s statement. He said yesterday that he had spoken with Hezbollah. Do you know who he was referring to? But before answering that question, let me go back to your recent conversation with Speaker Berri’s senior advisor Ali Hamdan. Sorry, how did that come about? Did you contact him or did he reach out to you?

A:
Well, I don’t want to get into issues related to sources and similar matters. I would just say that it was a very interesting and important conversation with Mr. Hamdan, because I think it allowed me and my readers here in the U.S. to better understand what has been going on in those negotiations, and what was happening behind the scenes last weekend when the parties began discussing the issue of a ceasefire.

As far as I know, and based on the sources I spoke to, there was no direct communication between any U.S. official and any official within Hezbollah. Since Mr. Wafiq Safa was banned a few months ago, I don’t think the group has anyone capable of maintaining direct contact with Western governments.

Q:
In your article, Ali Hamdan told you that Hezbollah was ready for a full and immediate ceasefire with Israel and pledged to guarantee its implementation. On what basis could Speaker Berri make that commitment, given that Hezbollah has since rejected the proposal?

A:
I think that at the time the interview took place, that was at least what Hezbollah conveyed to Mr. Hamdan. I also heard at the same time, on the same day I spoke with Mr. Hamdan, from a very senior Israeli official that Israel had also received a message from Hezbollah through a third party saying that the group wanted a ceasefire, as long as it was a full ceasefire across all areas of Lebanon, and that it did not demand an immediate Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. It was ready for something more gradual.

So at the time, it was not only Mr. Hamdan saying that Hezbollah was ready for a full ceasefire; Israeli officials told me the same. What has happened since then is that Hezbollah changed its position, either for tactical reasons or because it was not truthful when it said it was ready for a full ceasefire. I tend to believe, by the way, that the change in Hezbollah’s position is tactical.

I think one of the reasons is that even Hezbollah understands that Iranian involvement in those negotiations may have gone too far, even for Hezbollah. Even Hezbollah may feel it is losing its own independent decision-making and position because Iran is so deeply involved.

Q:
So, Barak, as I mentioned before, Hezbollah has rejected the proposed ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. In your opinion, what do you think will happen next?

A:
In my opinion, Mr. Naim Qassem’s statement on Thursday, which rejected the deal, is not necessarily the final position. I think it is part of the negotiation process.

As far as I know, negotiations are still ongoing.

During a cabinet meeting on Thursday night, Prime Minister Netanyahu told cabinet members that they were still waiting to see what would happen in the internal Lebanese negotiations. I think President Aoun also said that it will take a few days to complete internal discussions within the Lebanese political system regarding this agreement.

So I’m not sure it is a done deal. I think negotiations are still ongoing, and I am not ruling out at all the possibility of reaching a deal within a day or two.

Q:
Thanks, Barak, for your time and for joining us on LBCI.

A:
Thank you. My pleasure. Thank you.