Lebanon accuses Israel of diverting talks to skirt ceasefire obligations

Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri has charged Israel with attempting to broaden diplomatic talks to include economic issues as a diversion from its failure to honor core ceasefire obligations. The accusation precedes a meeting of the Mechanism Committee, established to oversee the November 2024 ceasefire, where Israel seeks to expand the agenda while Lebanon insists on a strict focus on outstanding security issues.

Lebanon’s Core Demands for Compliance

In an interview with Anadolu, Mitri outlined Beirut's primary objectives for the upcoming talks in Geneva. The first is securing international recognition that the Lebanese army is fully and effectively implementing its duties south of the Litani River, as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The second is increasing political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to comply with the ceasefire's fundamental provisions, which include a complete military withdrawal from all remaining occupied Lebanese territory and the release of approximately 20 Lebanese detainees. Mitri maintains that the monitoring mechanism is the proper forum for these issues, not new economic negotiations.

Downplaying Israeli Threats and Outlining Domestic Plans

Regarding recent Israeli media reports threatening a major military operation if Hezbollah is not disarmed by year's end, Mitri dismissed such warnings as "hypothetical," noting Lebanon had received no formal ultimatum. He emphasized that the Lebanese state is acting within its capacity, citing government and army-approved plans to address the issue of weapons outside state control. However, Hezbollah continues to link its disarmament to a full Israeli withdrawal. Mitri argued that "excessive pressure" on Lebanon is unwarranted now that its commitment to state authority is clear.

Pursuing Regional Diplomacy with Syria

Beyond the immediate border tensions, Mitri highlighted Lebanon's renewed diplomatic engagement with Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. Discussions with President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus have focused on critical bilateral issues. The most urgent is finalizing a judicial cooperation agreement for the transfer of approximately 2,000 Syrian detainees held in Lebanese prisons. Subsequent priorities include enhancing border security and beginning work on demarcating the land boundary between the two countries.