Barrack says Hezbollah can't be disarmed by force, urges direct talks
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack has called for direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, noting that Hezbollah cannot be disarmed by force.
He also voiced major concern over a renewal of Israel’s war on Lebanon.
Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first talks in decades on Wednesday under the auspices of a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism, though Lebanon's premier cautioned the new diplomatic contact did not amount to broader peace discussions.
Lebanon and Israel have technically been at war since 1948, but Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the new discussions were strictly limited to fully implementing last year's truce.
Israel has kept up regular air strikes in Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah members and facilities, and it has kept troops in five areas in the south despite the ceasefire's stipulation that it pull out entirely.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the atmosphere at the talks was "positive", and that there had been agreement "to develop ideas to promote potential economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon."
Israel also made it clear it was "essential" that Hezbollah disarm regardless of any progress in economic cooperation, Netanyahu's office added.
Source: Naharnet
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