Lebanon, Israel agree to U.S.-mediated talks

Lebanon and Israel agreed on Friday to hold an initial meeting next Tuesday at the U.S. State Department in Washington to discuss a ceasefire and the date for starting U.S.-mediated negotiations, the Lebanese presidency said.

On Friday night, Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter spoke by phone after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for direct talks with Israel amid escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon. U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michael Issa, who is currently in Washington, also participated in the discussion.

The statement noted that the United States has tasked its State Department with mediating between the two sides, after a series of international and regional contacts conducted by Aoun. The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on formulizing a ceasefire announcement and on agreeing on a timeline for starting negotiations between the two countries.