In a second visit to Lebanon since Al-Aqsa Flood Operation on October 7, the Senior Advisor to the US President, Amos Hochstein heard one main stance expressed by the senior officials: Stop the Israeli war on Gaza.
House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Thursday received at the Second Presidency in Ain El-Tineh, Hochstein, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Lebanon, Amanda Bales. The meeting was also attended by Speaker Berri’s Media Advisor Ali Hamdan.
Discussions reportedly touched on the general situation in Lebanon and the region as a result of Israel’s continued aggression against the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Following the meeting, Hochstein stated: “It’s good to be back in Beirut. We are obviously at a difficult time and a time of urgency, and I am grateful that I have been able to have meetings with the Lebanese government and with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces – the LAF – to discuss how we can arrive at a diplomatic solution for the crisis on the border between ‘Israel’ and Lebanon.”
Hochstein said that the United States prefers a diplomatic solution to the current crisis that guarantees border security and focuses on “a better future”.
In response to a question whether he sensed a willingness from both sides to negotiate, Hochstein said: “I think you’ve all heard what the Government of ‘Israel’ has said, which is that there is a narrow window, but that they prefer a diplomatic solution. I think that is the case. We are living in a crisis moment where we would like to see a diplomatic solution, and I believe that both sides prefer a diplomatic solution. It is our job to get one.”
Hochstein also met with the caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail in Beirut. Mikati affirmed the need to halt the Zionist aggression on Gaza and South Lebanon, reiterating Lebanon’s keenness on the restoration of “peace and security”.
The US envoy further held a meeting with the Lebanese Army commander-in-chief General Joseph Aoun as the discussions tackled mainly the developments in South Lebanon.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
