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The U.S. Embassy in Beirut called for direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, saying the two neighboring countries “should have never been at war” and that engagement could begin a “national revival” for Lebanon.
In a statement posted on X, the embassy said a direct meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump, would give Lebanon a chance to secure concrete guarantees from Washington.
“Lebanon stands at a crossroads,” the embassy said. “Its people have a historic opportunity to reclaim their country and shape their future as a truly sovereign, independent nation.”
The embassy said direct engagement between Lebanon and Israel could create a new political opening for Beirut.
“Direct engagement between Lebanon and Israel, two neighboring countries that should have never been at war, can mark the beginning of a national revival,” it said.
The embassy said the extended cessation of hostilities, achieved at Trump’s personal request, had given Lebanon the space to put its demands forward.
“The extended cessation of hostilities, achieved at the personal request of President Trump, has given Lebanon the space and the opportunity to put all of its legitimate demands on the table with the full attention of the United States government,” the embassy said.
The embassy said a direct meeting between Aoun and Netanyahu, facilitated by Trump, could allow Lebanon to secure guarantees on several core issues.
It said those guarantees could include “full sovereignty, territorial integrity, secure borders, humanitarian and reconstruction support, and the complete restoration of Lebanese state authority over every inch of its territory.”
The embassy said such guarantees would be provided by the United States.
The U.S. Embassy urged Lebanon to seize the opportunity and decide its own future.
“This is Lebanon’s moment to decide its own destiny, one which belongs to all its people,” the embassy said.
“The United States is ready to stand with Lebanon as it seizes this opportunity with confidence and wisdom. The time for hesitation is over,” it added.
Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah returned to war when the Iran conflict began in March.
Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, and Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
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