First Lebanese-American-Israeli contact in Washington paves the way for a ceasefire and the launch of a negotiation track

In implementation of the presidential negotiating initiative based on diplomatic action and under U.S. mediation

The first trilateral Lebanese-American-Israeli phone call took place this evening in Washington, with agreement reached to hold a first meeting next Tuesday at the U.S. State Department to discuss announcing a ceasefire and setting a date for the start of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under American sponsorship.

The following statement was issued this evening by the Media Office at the Presidency of the Republic:

Based on the initiative launched by President General Joseph Aoun, which is founded on diplomatic action through the announcement of a ceasefire and moving toward direct negotiations with Israel, and following the international and Arab contacts President Aoun has recently conducted in light of the escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the U.S. administration decided to assign the U.S. State Department the role of mediator between Lebanon and Israel.

Accordingly, and based on President Aoun’s instructions to the Lebanese ambassador in Washington, a phone call was held at 9 p.m. Beirut time, the first of its kind between Lebanon, represented by its ambassador in Washington, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, and Israel, represented by its ambassador in Washington, Yechiel Leiter, with the participation of U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa, who is currently in Washington.

During the call, agreement was reached to hold a first meeting next Tuesday at the U.S. State Department to discuss announcing a ceasefire and setting a date for the start of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under American sponsorship.