Conflating reports emerge about date of US envoy visit to Lebanon
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Several media reports with mixed information had been published regarding US envoy Amos Hochstein's visit to Lebanon, with some saying his visit is delayed and others saying it will happen.
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Senior Advisor to U.S. President Biden, Amos Hochstein, gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon, on March 4, 2024. (AP)
The United States special envoy Amos Hochstein, has informed Lebanese Parliament Speaker nabih Berri that his visit to Lebanon to discuss a potential ceasefire on the northern front with "Israel" has been delayed, Axios reported.
According to Axios, citing US officials, Hochstein is reportedly holding off his visit, scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, until he receives "more clarifications" regarding Lebanon's position on the ceasefire.
However, other conflicting reports have emerged claiming that Hochstein intends to visit Beirut soon. Certain security sources underlined that he would be coming on Tuesday regardless.
The trip was not set in stone, according to a diplomatic source to the Times of Israel, who reported that the visit was to be made considering the progress of talks.
It is worth noting that Lebanon has previously stated that it did not receive an official proposal for a ceasefire, as confirmed last week by Martyr Mohammad Afif and Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc MP Raed Berro.
According to Berro, who spoke to Al Mayadeen last week, "Israel’s" demand for military intervention in Lebanon is unacceptable, labeling it as yet another form of occupation.
He emphasized that Lebanon has firmly rejected this condition, asserting that "Israel" is in no position to impose concessions or surrender. He added that successes on the battlefield enable Lebanon to strengthen its position in any talks.
'Israel' seeks capacity to hit, enter Lebanon post-ceasefire: France
Israeli officials are adamant about retaining the ability to strike Lebanon at any time as part of the conditions for a potential ceasefire with Hezbollah, revealed French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
During a parliamentary hearing, following discussions held in occupied al-Quds with Israeli officials last week, Barrot noted that this stance is becoming increasingly prominent in Israeli discourse.
"Today we hear in Israel voices calling for it to keep a capacity to strike at any moment or even enter Lebanon, as is the case with its neighbor Syria," indicated Barrot, who held last weeks talks with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and new Security Minister Israel Katz.
The top French diplomat argued that such a position "is not compatible with the sovereignty of a strong country," pointing to broader international efforts to strengthen governance in Lebanon.
Diplomats commented that any proposal including such an Israeli demand would likely be unacceptable to Lebanon.
Read more: Trump urges Biden admin. to secure 'Israel'-Hezbollah ceasefire: Ynet
