US envoy Amos Hochstein confirmed on Wednesday that a diplomatic solution in Lebanon is possible and urgent, emphasizing that no one desires war between Lebanon and Israel. Following a nearly one-hour meeting with Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh, he stated, "The hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated recently, and there is an urgent need to de-escalate along the Blue Line."
He noted that "an agreement in Gaza will create conditions suitable for reducing tension between Lebanon and Israel." Hochstein believed that the more tension there is in the region, the longer the conflict will last, increasing the chances of its expansion over time. He added, "We need to work towards ending the conflict in Gaza." Responding to the possibility of avoiding war between Israel and Hezbollah, Hochstein said, "I believe so." He concluded with, "We agree with the Lebanese who want to live in safety and stability, and now is the time to take Lebanon in a better direction."
For his part, Berri reiterated the need to stop the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon, which has lasted for more than 10 months, expressing great concern over the escalating actions taken by Israeli political and military levels through cross-border assassination policies, whether in the Iranian capital Tehran or in Lebanese Beirut, not to mention the daily Israeli massacres committed against children and civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, including the recent attack on worshippers in Gaza.
Berri indicated that this policy illustrates Israel's determination to proceed with military escalation and its failure to assist in any effort to stop the war. He reaffirmed to the US envoy Lebanon's commitment to extending the UNIFIL mission as per UN Resolution 1701, which Lebanon has been required to fully implement since its issuance in 2006. Hochstein is currently on a new tour aiming to reach a new settlement and reduce tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.
Hochstein then proceeded to the Grand Serail to meet with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, accompanied by US Ambassador Lisa Johnson and her delegation. During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the necessity of pressuring Israel to cease its attacks and threats, asserting that the key to a solution lies in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and implementing Security Council decisions, especially Resolution 1701, which ensures stability in the south.
Hochstein confirmed that "efforts are being made at various diplomatic levels and in all capitals to succeed in the diplomatic solution called for by the American, Egyptian, and Qatari presidents, which will be discussed in the Doha meetings that start tomorrow and will last for several days." He expressed hope for "reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, which would help stop the escalation in the south," and considered that "Resolution 1701 is a guarantee of stability in the south."
In a separate meeting, Army Commander General Joseph Aoun received Hochstein in his office in Yarzeh, in the presence of US Ambassador Lisa Johnson, where they discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as developments along the southern border. Hochstein talked with the Army Commander about the army's needs for deployment in the south. He arrived in Lebanon coming from Europe, not Israel.
Hochstein also met with opposition deputies: George Adwan, Fouad Makhzoumi, Elias Hankach, and Michel Douaihy in the afternoon at the parliament.
