US Envoy Hochstein: Committing to 1701 is not enough

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
21 Oct 2024 15:53
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US envoy Amos Hochstein emphasizes the constructive nature of his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during his visit to Beirut on Monday.

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Senior Advisor to US President Joe Biden, Amos Hochstein listens to a journalist's question after giving a statement to the media in Beirut, Lebanon, June 18, 2024. (AP)

US envoy Amos Hochstein stated, on Monday, during his visit to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, that his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was "very constructive".

During a press conference in Beirut, Hochstein stated that "the US wants to end the war completely, and we need to reach a formula to put an end to this conflict once and for all."

He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all parties involved in the war recognize the need for the implementation of Resolution 1701, highlighting that significant progress is still required to meet the expectations set by this resolution.

He further asserted that it is crucial to take steps to ensure its enforcement moving forward.

"Both sides simply committing to (UN resolution) 1701 is not enough," Hochstein stressed.

"We are working with the government of Lebanon, the state of Lebanon, as well as the government of Israel, to get to a formula that brings an end to this conflict once and for all," he added.

Additionally, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati received Hochstein at the Grand Serail in Beirut.

'Israel' hands White House demands for ceasefire in Lebanon: Axios

Earlier today, Axios reported, citing US and Israeli officials, that the Israeli occupation government submitted a document to the US Department last week outlining its conditions for a ceasefire to end the war in Lebanon and enable the return of displaced civilians.

The document was delivered by Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, on Thursday, ahead of President Biden's envoy Amos Hochstein's visit to Beirut on Monday to seek a resolution to the war.

Israeli officials indicated that the document reflects key principles discussed with the Israeli Ministry of Security and the Israeli Occupation Forces, emphasizing what "Israel" demands in any diplomatic solution to end the war.

'Israel's demands violate Lebanese sovereignty'

One of the demands includes Israeli Occupation Forces' engagement along the border to ensure "active enforcement" that prevents the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon from rebuilding military infrastructure in southern Lebanon near the border, an Israeli official told Axios.

Another demand is for "Israel" to have the freedom to operate in Lebanese airspace, which would constitute a blatant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty.

These two demands contradict UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) enforce a ceasefire between "Israel" and Hezbollah.

"We are talking about 1701 with increased enforcement. Our main message is that if the Lebanese army and UNIFIL do more, the IDF will do less and the other way around", the Israeli official told Axios.

However, a US official expressed skepticism about those demands, noting that the Lebanese side would likely oppose the new conditions, as they would "dramatically undermine Lebanon's sovereignty."