Lebanon confirms cease-fire understanding with US without altering existing UN resolution
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed on Wednesday that Lebanon has reached an understanding with US envoy Amos Hochstein regarding a cease-fire with Israel.
He stressed no changes have been made to the text of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.
This statement counters recent Israeli media reports claiming that Hochstein’s recent visit to Beirut resulted in a modified version of the Resolution to secure a cease-fire.
Adopted in August 2006, Resolution 1701 calls for a complete end of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.
It also calls for the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the Lebanon-Israel boundary and the Litani River, allowing only the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) to possess weapons and military equipment in the area.
Berri noted all cease-fire and deployment elements under Resolution 1701 are in place.
He also said Lebanon is awaiting Hochstein’s discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on what has been agreed upon.
He confirmed Lebanon is prepared to commit to the cease-fire before Hochstein and Netanyahu reach an understanding and emphasized the need for guarantees to implement the agreement.
This discussion of a possible cease-fire comes as Israel faces mounting military losses on the Lebanese front.
Israel expanded its war on Gaza by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.