Lebanon, Israel set for US-mediated talks in Washington

Lebanon has confirmed it will attend a meeting with US and Israeli representatives in Washington on April 14, marking a step towards potential direct negotiations between the two countries under American mediation.

According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, the talks are expected to focus on a possible ceasefire and agreeing a date for the launch of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, Caliber.Az reports.

صدر عن مكتب الإعلام في رئاسة الجمهورية البيان الاتي:

بناء على المبادرة التي اطلقها رئيس الجمهورية العماد جوزاف عون والتي ترتكز على العمل الدبلوماسي من خلال الإعلان عن وقف لإطلاق النار والذهاب إلى التفاوض المباشر مع إسرائيل ، وبعد الاتصالات الدولية والعربية التي اجراها الرئيس…

— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) April 10, 2026

The initiative follows diplomatic efforts led by President Joseph Aoun amid escalating Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory.

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yehiel Leiter, said Israel had agreed to participate in the talks but would not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The Lebanese presidency said the move comes as part of an initiative spearheaded by Aoun aimed at advancing diplomacy, beginning with a ceasefire declaration and transitioning to direct negotiations with Israel. The plan follows a series of international and Arab contacts conducted by Aoun in response to rising tensions.

As part of the process, Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, held a phone call at 2100 Beirut time with her Israeli counterpart, Yehiel Leiter, in the presence of the US ambassador to Beirut, Lisa A. Johnson, who was in Washington at the time. The call marked the first direct contact between Lebanese and Israeli representatives in Washington under US auspices.

Following the conversation, the parties agreed to hold their first formal meeting at the US State Department to discuss a ceasefire framework and set a timeline for launching direct negotiations under American sponsorship.