Lebanon seeks ceasefire with Israel, opens direct talks track separate from Iran

Lebanon seeks ceasefire with Israel, opens direct talks track separate from Iran

In Short

• Lebanon initiates separate negotiation track with Israel
• Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji announces direct talks
• Lebanon aims to decouple talks from Iran-linked dynamics

Lebanon is pursuing a ceasefire agreement with Israel through direct negotiations, Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said, signalling a shift towards an independent diplomatic track distinct from Iran-linked regional dynamics, Al Jazeera reported.

Rajji said the move to engage Israel directly has effectively created a “separate Lebanese track”, indicating Beirut’s intent to decouple its negotiations from broader geopolitical developments involving Iran.

The remarks come as Lebanon and Israel prepare to take initial steps towards formal engagement. Officials from both sides are expected to meet in Washington on Tuesday, with their ambassadors to the United States agreeing during a first phone call to discuss a possible ceasefire announcement and set a timeline for direct negotiations.

- Ends