Mikati says Lebanon studying Hochstein's proposal
Lebanon is studying a verbal proposal by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein who visited the country Monday in an attempt to tamp down tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said.
"We have questions and we are waiting for answers from the U.S. envoy," Mikati told al-Jadeed in an interview on Tuesday evening.
He added that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is studying the proposal and is likely consulting with Hezbollah.
"Berri or I will contact Hochstein within 48 hours to discuss the latest developments regarding the proposal."
Hochstein’s proposal is a mechanism to implement U.N. Resolution 1701, Mikati explained. "When Israel stops its violations and withdraws from the occupied Lebanese territories, we will be committed to Resolution 1701 and we vow that we will fully implement it."
International mediators were set for a fourth day of talks with Hamas in Cairo on Wednesday after U.S. President Joe Biden called for a truce by the start of Ramadan.
Asked Monday whether he could "guarantee" that the anticipated Gaza ceasefire would apply to Lebanon, Hochstein said a truce there would not "necessarily" or "automatically" apply to Lebanon, adding that his discussions in Beirut and Israel are aimed at reaching certain "arrangements" leading to a "diplomatic solution."
Mikati told al-Jadeed he had been informed that a ceasefire will happen before Ramadan in Gaza and that negotiations related to the Lebanese front will take place during the holy month of Ramadan.
Source: Naharnet
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