By Amjad Qaim Khani
WASHINGTON: Lebanon and Israel agreed to hold their first meeting as part of ceasefire negotiations, with talks scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.
The meeting came amid renewed diplomatic efforts led by the United States to ease tensions in the region and explore a framework for de-escalation.
Officials from both sides were expected to meet at the United States Department of State, where discussions would focus on the structure and timeline of a possible ceasefire agreement.
Israeli officials said the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah would not be part of the negotiations, underlining the limits of the current diplomatic track.
Ahead of the meeting, diplomatic contacts took place in Washington between the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel, with the participation of the US envoy to Lebanon, in an effort to prepare the ground for formal talks.
The development was seen as a cautious step towards dialogue, as international mediators continued to press for measures to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
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