Issa meets Aoun and Berri, Lebanese president may meet Trump soon
President Joseph Aoun met Monday with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon,l Michel Issa and discussed with him the general situation in light of the recent developments, as well as his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Presidency said.
"They also discussed the period following last week's meeting (between Lebanese and Israeli envoys) at the U.S. State Department and ways to maintain the ceasefire," the Presidency added.
Issa also met Monday with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri at the latter's residence in Ain el-Tineh.
MTV meanwhile reported that "a bilateral meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is being planned and will take place soon."
A diplomatic source told MTV that the Lebanese president seems determined to "continue direct negotiations with Israel and end a 70-year-old crisis."
"There is significant reliance on Speaker Nabih Berri's role at this stage," the source said.
MTV also reported that Trump had reassured Aoun during their phone call on Thursday that the truce with Israel would be extended if necessary.
Trump "understood the need to prepare the ground before any direct contact or meeting (by Aoun) with Netanyahu and Aoun intends to clarify this further with Trump," the TV network added.
Source: Naharnet
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