Netanyahu calls on Lebanese government to 'begin direct negotiations with Israel'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that “peace between Israel and Lebanon is possible,” calling on the Lebanese government to “begin direct negotiations with Israel.”

Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, Netanyahu said he commends the Lebanese government for “its declared aim to disarm Hezbollah,” but added that “we need more than words.”

“If Lebanon takes genuine and sustained action to disarm Hezbollah, I’m sure we can achieve a sustainable peace. Of course until that happens, we will take whatever action we need to defend ourselves and to maintain the conditions of the ceasefire which was established in Lebanon,” Netanyahu said.

“Our goal is not merely to monitor Hezbollah’s actions, but to prevent it from violating the ceasefire and attacking us at any time, but I’m sure that if the Lebanese government persists in its goal of disarming Hezbollah, peace will come,” he added.