Lebanon faces a U.S. ultimatum to negotiate with Israel by month-end or risk military repercussions. The U.S. aims to establish civilian committees focused on prisoner release and border disputes. Lebanese officials, however, oppose any normalization efforts, revealing internal divisions on the issue amidst pressure from Hezbollah supporters and moderate voices seeking stability.
Recent reports indicate that Lebanon has been issued an ultimatum from the United States to establish civilian committees to facilitate negotiations with Israel by the end of this month. This communication was conveyed by Morgan Ortagus, Deputy U.S. envoy to the Middle East, during discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Should Lebanon decline this proposal, the U.S. may withdraw from the oversight committee, subsequently allowing Israel greater operational freedom.
The deadline for Lebanon to initiate negotiations is described as non-negotiable. The U.S. is advocating for immediate talks aimed at expanding the scope of discussions between Lebanon and Israel beyond military matters. Lebanese officials have noted that the U.S. is encouraging the formation of “diplomatic working groups” focused on three pivotal issues, including: the release of Lebanese prisoners, Israeli withdrawal from contested areas along the Blue Line, and the resolution of border disputes.
Despite this pressure, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji made it clear that Lebanon opposes normalization with Israel, stating that the country will not consent to direct political negotiations. The Lebanese government faces a challenging situation: to either risk Israeli military escalation by rejecting U.S. proposals or contend with internal opposition to any perceived normalization efforts.
Social media platforms, especially Twitter and Instagram, are rife with opposition from users aligned with Hezbollah and pro-Iranian factions, who view Israel as a “Zionist enemy.” Campaigns under hashtags like لبنان_ضد_التطبيع (“Lebanon against normalization”) reflect this sentiment, highlighting a commitment to resistance against Israel. Some users assert that any move towards peace with Israel is akin to betrayal.
Conversely, moderate voices among Christians, Sunnis, and Druze are expressing a desire for stability and an end to conflict. A notable advocate remarked that the ongoing war is not representative of the people’s will and indicated that peace with Israel could be possible if they could liberate themselves from Hezbollah’s influence. Additionally, skepticism exists among individuals not affiliated with Hezbollah; some express doubt about the feasibility of normalization due to Iran’s control over the region.
In response to the U.S. ultimatum, a potential compromise proposed by the Lebanese president may involve including civilian experts in the military oversight committee, following a model similar to the maritime border negotiations, thereby neither rejecting nor fully accepting the American proposal.
In summary, the United States has issued Lebanon an ultimatum to initiate negotiations with Israel, stressing the non-negotiable deadline. While there is significant internal opposition to normalization with Israel among segments of the Lebanese population, moderate voices are advocating for stability and solutions. The Lebanese government is navigating a complex landscape, weighing the consequences of adhering to U.S. demands against domestic resistance to perceived normalization efforts. Overall, the situation remains precarious as Lebanon contemplates its next steps amidst external pressure and internal dissent.
Original Source: vinnews.com
