The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington have held talks at a meeting brokered by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting comes amid ongoing fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad attended the meeting in the US capital on Tuesday.
A State Department official says these are the first direct, high-level diplomatic talks between the two countries since 1993.
At the beginning of the discussions, Rubio said, “This is a historic opportunity,” adding, “We understand we’re working against decades of history and the complexities.”
Rubio also noted: “This is more than just one day. This will take time, but we believe it is worth this endeavor.”
He expressed hope that the talks will help create a framework leading to a lasting peace and eliminating Hezbollah’s influence.
Before the meeting, Hezbollah called for the meeting to be canceled, describing it as pointless.
Attention is focused on whether any progress will be made on a ceasefire and other issues.
Iran has repeatedly called for the attacks on Lebanon to stop. Developments in the fighting in Lebanon could affect negotiations between the US and Iran.
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