Ortagus says US to mediate Lebanon-Israel talks on outstanding issues
The United States announced Tuesday that it will be “bringing together Lebanon and Israel for talks aimed at diplomatically resolving several outstanding issues between the two countries.”
A statement issued by Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus said the issues that will be discussed are “the release of Lebanese prisoners, the remaining disputed points along the Blue Line, and the remaining 5 points where Israeli forces are still deployed.”
“Military to military talks concluded in Naqoura, Lebanon today, and subsequently 5 Lebanese prisoners have been released back to Lebanon from Israel,” Ortagus added.
“Everyone involved remains committed to maintaining the ceasefire agreement and to fully implement all its terms. We look forward to quickly convening these diplomat-led working groups to resolve outstanding issues, along with our international partners,” she said.
In an interview with Al-Jadeed TV, Ortagus said the five Lebanese prisoners were a mix of civilians and soldiers.
"I'll let the government of Lebanon make the announcement of who is in the mix. But there are some soldiers and civilians in the mix of five," she said.
"We want to get a political resolution, finally, to the border disputes," Ortagus added.
"When it comes to the border agreement, the land border agreement, there are 13 points -- I think that six are still problematic," she said.
Ortagus added that Israel had "withdrawn from over 99 percent of the territory."
"I feel fairly confident that... we can have final resolution on the five points and ultimately on the remaining issues related to the Blue Line," she said.
The head of the U.S.-based Hostage Aid Worldwide organization Nizar Zakka meanwhile told LBCI television that “Israel will release 5 Lebanese captives, including 4 civilians and a Hezbollah member, and in return Lebanon has agreed to begin land border demarcation negotiations over the pending 13 points.”
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse
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