First phone contact between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington
BEIRUT — The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington held their first phone conversation on Friday, marking the first official contact between the two countries since 1983. The Lebanese presidency issued a statement on the matter.
“On the basis of the initiative launched by President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, which is focused on diplomatic efforts toward the announcement of a cease-fire and the start of direct negotiations with Israel, and following recent international and Arab contacts made by President Aoun in response to the escalation of Israeli attacks against Lebanon, the U.S. administration has decided to task the State Department with playing a mediating role between Lebanon and Israel,” the presidency said.
“Within this framework, and in accordance with President Aoun’s instructions to the Lebanese ambassador in Washington, a phone call took place at 9 p.m. Beirut time — the first of its kind between Lebanon, represented by its ambassador in Washington Nada Hamadeh Moawad, and Israel, represented by its ambassador in Washington Yechiel Leiter, with the participation of U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, who was present in Washington,” the statement added.
“During this exchange, an agreement was reached to hold an initial meeting next Tuesday at the U.S. State Department headquarters to discuss the announcement of a ceasefire and the date for launching negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under American auspices,” the presidency concluded.
Following a day of deadly Israeli strikes on the capital and across the country, along with statements from Tel Aviv and Washington indicating that Lebanon would not be involved in cease-fire negotiations with Tehran, the situation shifted. By early Thursday evening, Israel agreed to enter into direct negotiations with Lebanon.