Request from Hochstein to Lebanon... and Warning Against Escalation

U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein has requested a period for diplomacy from Beirut, wishing in his meetings in the Lebanese capital that Hezbollah refrains from escalating tensions, which the group has threatened to do for about two weeks in response to Israel's assassination of its military leader, Fouad Shukr, in southern Beirut. Lebanese sources told "Asharq Al-Awsat" that Hochstein warned during his meetings against escalation and counter-escalation, confirming to those he met that there are maximum pressures being exerted to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, which will positively impact the situation in southern Lebanon. The U.S. envoy emphasized from Beirut that there is no time left to waste in reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, while Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah, spoke about positive developments that can be built upon. President Berri expressed his satisfaction with the results of the American envoy's visit, stating to "Asharq Al-Awsat" that the situation today is better than yesterday.