Lebanon-Israel meeting to be held next week in US to discuss ceasefire, Beirut says

The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to Washington held their first phone call on Friday, as momentum builds toward unprecedented talks between the two countries.

Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, and her Israeli counterpart, Yechiel Leiter, spoke by phone in an initial contact that included US envoy to Beirut Michel Issa. The call was intended to help set the stage and timeline for direct negotiations expected to begin next week.

Following the call, the Lebanese presidency said an agreement was reached during to hold a first meeting next Tuesday at the State Department to discuss a ceasefire announcement and set a date for direct negotiations under US mediation.

Two sides were anticipated to meet in person next week for the first round of talks, which are expected to be preliminary.

Issa is expected to be present throughout the negotiations, along with other senior State Department officials, including Michael Needham, a senior aide to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.