US State Department: “Peace between Israel and Lebanon hinges on the complete disarmament of Hezbollah.”

The US State Department announced that it “will facilitate intensive talks between the governments of Lebanon and Israel on May 14 and 15,” noting that “the Lebanese and Israeli delegations will engage in discussions aimed at advancing a comprehensive agreement on peace and security.”

The State Department affirmed that “the discussions will work to build a framework for lasting peace and security arrangements and to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty over its territory,” pointing out that “Lebanon and Israel have committed to engaging in the talks based on their respective interests, and we will work to reconcile them.”

It stressed that “the discussions are another important step toward ending decades of conflict and establishing lasting peace between Lebanon and Israel.”

The US State Department also said that “peace between Israel and Lebanon hinges on the complete disarmament of Hezbollah.”