US envoy to reportedly discuss Lebanese proposals with Israeli officials in Paris
U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack will reportedly discuss Lebanese proposals with Israeli officials in Paris where he is holding talks with Syrian and Israeli officials on de-escalating sectarian violence in Syria, Lebanese newspaper al-Binaa said.
Barrack was visiting Lebanon before heading to Paris amid ongoing domestic and international pressure for Hezbollah to disarm after a bruising war with Israel.
He met in Lebanon with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker Nabih Berri and a host of political, religious and financial figures. Barrack lauded Berri as "one the most astute, thoughtful, considered, brilliant politicians" and both said their meeting was "excellent" and voiced optimism.
According to al-Binaa, Berri proposed to Barrack a timeline for Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon in exchange for Lebanon's commitment to address Hezbollah disarmament through dialogue between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah.
Barrack had some comments particularly concerning the synchronization between the deadlines and the implementation, the daily said, adding that these issues were discussed during a meeting at Ain al-Tineh on Wednesday evening between Barrack, a delegation from the U.S. embassy, and Berri's adviser Ali Hamdan.
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