WASHINGTON (AP) — Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic opportunity” but making clear that no breakthrough agreement was immediately expected.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter hailed what he called a convergence of opinion about removing Hezbollah’s influence from Lebanon, saying he was encouraged by a “wonderful exchange” of more than two hours.
“The Lebanese government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah,” he said. “Iran has been weakened. Hezbollah is dramatically weakened. This is an opportunity.”
Hezbollah opposed the direct talks and was not represented, appearing to step up its fire on northern Israel as they began. After the discussions, there was no immediate comment from the Lebanese side, which was represented by ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh Moawad.
Despite Hezbollah’s outright rejection, the talks are a major step for two countries with no diplomatic relations that have been officially at war since Israel’s inception in 1948. The latest round of fighting was sparked by Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel on March 2, days after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, Hezbollah’s key ally and patron.
