Hezbollah MP rejects direct talks between Lebanon, Israel

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah has reiterated his group’s rejection of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, a day after Lebanon’s president said such talks would take place on April 14 in Washington.

The move is “a blatant violation of the [national] pact, the constitution and Lebanese laws… and it exacerbates domestic divisions at a time when Lebanon most needs solidarity and internal unity to face Israel’s aggression," Fadlallah said in a statement, Dawn reports.

On April 10, the ambassadors held a preparatory trilateral call with one of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s advisers. Following the call, the Lebanese side said the parties agreed to meet on April 14 to “discuss announcing a ceasefire.”

On April 14, the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington are scheduled to meet under U.S. auspices at the State Department for an initial round of direct negotiations. More detailed discussions are expected to follow.

By Sabina Mammadli