Lebanon backs deconfliction cell proposal, but ties support to Israeli withdrawal
BEIRUT: Lebanon has welcomed a proposal to establish a deconfliction cell aimed at halting military operations in the country, but officials say any such mechanism must lead to a lasting ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territory.
The proposal emerged from US-Iran talks held in Switzerland and was announced in a joint statement by mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
President Joseph Aoun discussed the scheme on Monday during a phone call with US Vice President JD Vance, senior presidential adviser Jared Kushner and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
According to the Lebanese Presidency, the talks focused on efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in Lebanon, halt Israeli military escalation and explore practical steps to achieve those goals, including the possible establishment of a dedicated deconfliction mechanism.
