Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that while Beirut is open to negotiations beyond security issues, these talks are not peace negotiations, and normalization of relations is tied to a broader peace process.

By Asaye Bankole

Lebanon and Israel have taken a significant step by holding their first direct talks in over four decades. Civilian representatives from both countries met at the UN peacekeeping force’s headquarters in Naqoura, Lebanon, as part of a US-chaired ceasefire monitoring committee.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that while Beirut is open to negotiations beyond security issues, these talks are not peace negotiations, and normalization of relations is tied to a broader peace process.

The meeting, attended by US special envoy Morgan Ortagus, aimed to defuse tensions and implement a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US in November 2024.

Salam stressed that Lebanon remains committed to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which conditions normalization with Israel on the creation of a Palestinian state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the meeting as “a historic development” and an initial attempt to establish a basis for economic cooperation between the two countries.

However, Lebanon’s prime minister clarified that economic relations are part of normalization, which is still far off.

Lebanon is still committed to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which proposes normal relations with Israel if it withdraws from territory it occupied in 1967. Lebanon won’t make a separate deal with Israel. Adding civilian envoys to talks could help reduce tensions, especially after recent deadly Israeli air strikes show things are getting more volatile.

A committee met for three hours along the Lebanon-Israel border and welcomed the addition of civilian envoys as a step towards more dialogue and peace along the border.

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