Lebanon Appoints Ex-Envoy Karam to Lead Talks with Israel

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday that the goal of the upcoming bilateral negotiations with Israel is to halt hostilities and end the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. He has appointed Lebanon’s former Ambassador to the US, Simon Karam, to lead the delegation to hold talks with Israel, clarifying that no one else will replace Karam or participate in the talks.

According to the Lebanese presidency, Aoun said, “The objective of the negotiation option is to halt hostile actions, end the Israeli occupation of southern areas, and deploy the Lebanese army up to the internationally recognized southern borders.”

He stated that “the upcoming negotiations are separate from any other negotiations,” referring to the US-Iran talks.

He added, “I have chosen negotiation, and I am full of hope that we will be able to save Lebanon.” (AFP)