Washington talks remain stalled... and Lebanon insists on a ceasefire as the priority

Sources following the ongoing negotiations in Washington said that the military talks being held at the Pentagon have so far failed to produce a final agreement on solidifying the ceasefire, amid continued consultations among the parties concerned.

The sources confirmed that President Joseph Aoun and the army commander, along with the task force assigned to follow the الملف, are directly monitoring the course of the negotiations through ongoing contacts with the Lebanese military delegation and ambassadors Simon Karam and Nada Hamadeh Mouawad.

They added that during the first round of military negotiations, the Lebanese delegation stressed the priority of consolidating the ceasefire and the key provisions associated with it, while taking care not to shift the discussion toward other files before this demand is settled.

The sources noted that any discussion of other issues will remain suspended or within a theoretical framework unless a clear understanding is first reached that firmly and effectively enshrines the ceasefire.