Geagea says Aoun-Netanyahu meeting 'necessary,' 'should not be postponed'
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Monday that Lebanon needs a lasting solution to permanently end the state of war with Israel, rather than merely settling for a temporary ceasefire, calling direct negotiations a "necessity" Hezbollah "forced" upon Lebanon.
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Geagea said a meeting between President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "necessary" and should not be postponed. "President Aoun has to speak with the Israelis," he added. "Negotiations are not an option, but a necessity forced upon Lebanon by Hezbollah."
President Aoun announced Monday that former Ambassador Simon Karam will lead a delegation in upcoming talks with Israel, aimed at ending hostilities and securing a withdrawal from the Israeli-occupied south.
Aoun said the talks will be "separate from any other negotiations", in reference to U.S.-Iran diplomacy to end the wider Middle East war.
"Lebanon faces two choices -- war or negotiations. I have chosen negotiations, and I am fully hopeful that we can save Lebanon," he said.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://mobile.naharnet.com/stories/en/319664 |