Hochstein: Progress on Ceasefire Negotiations and Visit to Israel
Special U.S. Envoy to the Middle East Amos Hochstein has announced that there has been progress in ceasefire negotiations, stating he will travel to Israel to attempt to conclude the discussions.
After his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Hochstein commented, “Today’s meeting represents additional progress,” but he refused to discuss the negotiation results and pending issues publicly.
Hochstein: Progress on Ceasefire Negotiations and Visit to Israel
He added, “We have discussed and made progress, and I will head to Israel to try to reach a
conclusion,” emphasizing, “We are making progress and will also work with the new U.S.
administration and discuss these matters with the new presidency.”
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri hosted U.S. Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein and his accompanying delegation at the Second Presidential Palace in Ain al-Tineh, in the presence of U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson and Berri’s media advisor Ali Hamdan. The discussions covered the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, focusing on the political and operational updates amidst the escalation of Israeli aggression against Lebanon.
Responding to queries about the sticking points and next steps, Hochstein said, “I believe what I’m about to say might disappoint you; I will not negotiate the details publicly or disclose these points. We’ve made progress here, and as I mentioned, if we accomplish this progress, I will move to Israel based on my discussions here, and we will see what we can achieve.”
He continued, “There is progress, there is a new president, and we will work with the new administration.
We will address these issues with the new presidency, and they will be fully informed of everything we do. As President Biden said, there will be an orderly transition of
power, and I don’t think that will be a problem.”
Speaker Berri had previously kept track of the developments in Lebanon and the region while
receiving the British Ministry of Defense’s Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa,
Admiral Edward Algarin, and his military delegation, in the presence of the British Ambassador to
Lebanon, Hamish Cowell.
Ambassador Cowell stated after the meeting, “I just want to say that we had an excellent meeting
with President Nabih Berri. I made this visit for specific reasons related to the Middle East, and
we are officially working side by side with Lebanon to do everything we can at this critical time to
assist and to closely follow the ceasefire efforts in Lebanon, primarily supporting the Lebanese
Armed Forces, and we had a very good meeting with the army commander.”
Source: RT
