Lebanon-Israel: Nawaf Salam dampens hopes for a summit, despite international pressure

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam deemed it premature to consider a high-level meeting between Lebanon and Israel, dashing hopes for a swift diplomatic breakthrough amid heightened regional tensions. This statement comes as some international officials, including Donald Trumprecently raised the possibility of such a merger.

In remarks reported by the Lebanese National News Agency, Nawaf Salam stressed that any prospect of dialogue must first be based on a genuine strengthening of the ceasefire. According to him, this condition is an essential prerequisite before opening new discussions between Lebanese and Israeli representatives, particularly in the context of meetings in Washington.

On the ground, the situation remains fragile. Despite the announcement of a ceasefire brokered by the United States on April 16, hostilities persist in southern Lebanon, where clashes regularly erupt between Israel and Hezbollah, a movement supported by Iran. This instability complicates any attempt at a diplomatic revival.

The Lebanese prime minister also reiterated that Beirut's minimum demand remains the establishment of a clear timetable for an Israeli withdrawal. This demand reflects the official Lebanese position in a conflict marked by decades of tension and confrontation.

Since the outbreak of hostilities in early March, following Hezbollah rocket fire in support of Iran, the Lebanese authorities, under the leadership of Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun, have engaged in unprecedented contacts with Israel. These steps, however, reflect deep internal divisions within Lebanon, particularly between Hezbollah and its political opponents.

In this uncertain context, the prospects of an official meeting between top leaders of the two countries still appear distant, despite calls for de-escalation and a resumption of dialogue from the international community.