February starts with flurry of diplomacy as Israel escalates
The first week of February started with high-level diplomatic missions as Israel intensified its strikes on Lebanon, wounding at least 20 people and killing at least two over the weekend and into Monday.
As President Joseph Aoun kicked off a two-day visit to Spain, with Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam was heading to the United Arab Emirates to attend the World Government Summit, and Army Chief Rodolphe Haykal was set to discuss in Washington the army's plan to disarm Hezbollah.
A previous visit was cancelled amid claims from the U.S. that the army's efforts to disarm Hezbollah were not sufficient.
Local media reports said Monday that Haykal might also visit France, Germany and Saudi Arabia, and that he will present a comprehensive dossier in Washington on Hezbollah's disarmament. The dossier will include maps, photos and details of the first and second phase of Hezbollah's disarmament plan, pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper reported Monday.
Aoun arrived Sunday in Spain where he met with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to sign several agreements.
Aoun said he urged Spain to pressure Israel within the European Union to commit to the implementation of a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.
On Monday, Israel targeted two cars in south Lebanon, killing at least one person, before issuing evacuation orders warning that it will bomb two buildings in the southern towns of Kfar Tebnit and Ain Qana.
On Sunday, at least one person was killed and 12 were wounded in strikes that also targeted cars in Ebba and Harouf.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is also expected in Beirut this week.
Source: Naharnet
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