The U.S. is interested in keeping Beirut and the southern suburbs neutral… and ‘Ali Al-Taher’ is in Rome!
From Gaza to the growing tensions between Iran and Iraq, and the Cold War-like confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz at the level of rhetoric, coupled with the ongoing attacks at sea extending toward Yemen, a sense of waiting and uncertainty is prevailing over everything else. This is reminiscent of the situation in recent weeks, with an official focus on explaining Lebanon’s commitment to the diplomatic option and on maintaining an international force, whether through UNIFIL or through an international force similar to UNIFIL.
This issue will be discussed by President Joseph Aoun during his visit to Rome tomorrow, which is scheduled to include a series of meetings with Pope Leo XIV, the Italian President, and the Prime Minister.
Political sources familiar with the situation told the newspaper that "Lebanon's ongoing contacts are mainly focused on preventing escalation and avoiding the worst-case scenario." They noted that the new situation on the ground is not intended to develop in a way that would lead to the war breaking out again, while stressing at the same time that the United States continues its contacts aimed at reducing tensions.
The sources stressed that "Lebanon does not have the ability to once again become a battleground for Israeli aggression." They explained that Israel, meanwhile, will currently try to buy more time and continue its policy of destruction ahead of the next round of negotiations, during which Lebanon seeks to secure a comprehensive and final ceasefire agreement.
On the other hand, according to official sources, "Lebanon is concerned about the issue of the Ali Al-Taher hills, and failure to resolve it before the Israeli Knesset elections could ignite a major escalation that may be difficult to control easily, particularly in light of Israeli threats and leaks suggesting that the battle to take control of the hills is approaching and preparations are underway. However, this may be intended to distract Israeli public opinion and voters. Therefore, we do not expect any real progress on the ground through the negotiations or the Clearfield process before the elections are over."
The sources explained that "efforts to stop the aggression against southern Lebanon have made no progress. As it appears, the Americans are only interested in keeping Beirut and the southern suburbs out of the conflict, while leaving the south to whatever Netanyahu does, but with certain restrictions so that the situation does not completely explode and affect the negotiations."
It was reported that "the issue of the Ali Al-Taher hills may be on the agenda of the Israeli delegation during the upcoming negotiations."