Video: The First Direct Negotiations Between Israel and Lebanon in 43 Years Commence

SadaNews - The first direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon commenced at the U.S. Department of State for the first time in 43 years.

The negotiations are taking place with the attendance of the Israeli ambassador to Washington, Yahel Leiter, and the Lebanese ambassador, Nada Mawaad, under the sponsorship of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

According to the Lebanese channel LBCI, there was a phone call between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese ambassador in Washington before the negotiations began, confirming that there was no handshake between the Lebanese ambassador and the Israeli ambassador, but only a commemorative photo was taken.

Meanwhile, the new channel reported that the meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli delegations in Washington will last one hour.

According to the channel, communications between Beirut and Washington indicate that the U.S. side is understanding of the Lebanese demands and the atmosphere in Washington is positive.

The Lebanese president previously stated that stability will not return to the south if Israel continues to occupy lands there.

He believes that the solution is the redeployment of the Lebanese army to the internationally recognized borders, assuming responsibility alone.

He expressed hope that the meeting in Washington would mark the beginning of ending the suffering of Lebanese people in general and southerners in particular.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post quoted a Lebanese official saying they do not believe the talks will lead to a ceasefire and that Lebanon has nothing to offer in the negotiations.

While Wafiq Safa, an official in Hezbollah, told the Associated Press that his party would not commit to any agreements between Lebanon and Israel.