Lebanon Israel Negotiations Update

From Beirut, journalist Jad Shahrour.

Welcome, thank you for being with us.

New negotiations over three days in Rome

between the Israeli and Lebanese sides, sponsored by the US.

Let me start with you from the first point that Lebanon is trying to overcome, which is

Israel and its obstruction of the deployment of the army in the model areas.

How will it deal first with this point, especially with the support it receives from the US side?

Thank you for having me first.

I think there are three messages in the Army Commander's statement.

The first is to the Lebanese, saying that despite the weak capabilities,

we are deploying in the south and we will do our job to the fullest. The

second is to say that we work within the Lebanese constitution, meaning under the cover of the Lebanese state,

and the security file is under the Lebanese state.

Third, to say that any demand to strengthen and expand the army's role with rapid steps

must be complemented by economic and military support equal to the task.

Second, I think regarding the Israeli issue and their statement about the presence of combat tools or combat equipment,

in Majdal Zoun, here also we return to two narratives against the Lebanese Army.

There is a narrative that the Lebanese Army is trying to disrupt by deploying in the south,

by saying that the security file and any security activity can be resolved through its deployment,

and it is its responsibility under the state's cover, so that Israel does not continue its narrative

or justify its military activity in the south under the pretext of Hezbollah activity,

since in the concluded agreement and the currently ongoing negotiations,

the army has the most prominent role in disarming Hezbollah in the south.

The concluded agreement and the currently ongoing negotiations state that the army has the most prominent role

in disarming Hezbollah in the south, the Lebanese south.

Because everyone remembers the American demands for the Israeli side to withdraw from southern Lebanon.

And statements came from the Israeli Defense Minister and Netanyahu himself that there would be no withdrawal.

That's correct. We have also seen these paradoxes in the course of negotiations between America and Iran.

I believe that in every negotiation process between two countries,

each party tries to promote its military and security narrative,

which makes it the ultimate victor in the story.

I think things will become clearer on the ground,

especially after the upcoming dates regarding what the Lebanese side will demand to complete the negotiations.

But I believe that today there is a political message directed internally and externally through the Lebanese Army.

The first message to the home front is that any friction or attempt to impose a security situation

will require an internal confrontation under the command of the Lebanese Army.

As for the message to the outside world,

no narrative that promotes or reinforces Israeli military action in the south can be sustained,

as long as the army asserts its role and states in no uncertain terms that it is deploying in the south and reinforcing

its deployment day by day, even if this deployment is gradual or slow.

But what sources and information say is that the second point that the Lebanese side

will work on in its negotiations with the Israeli side is the model areas, with emphasis on including occupied areas.

What cards does official Lebanon hold today in the face of Israeli intransigence? What will it propose so that

it withdraws from areas it occupied itself?

I believe that today the question is not what cards Lebanon holds.

We all know that Lebanon entered this security situation and the destruction of the South

due to Hezbollah's control over the state's decision and the decision of war and peace.

And this scene changed after the first and second support wars.

And today we are on a negotiating path for the first time. It is an exercise in Lebanese sovereignty.

I believe there is also international respect for this path,

and with American and other Arab countries' support for this path, provided that Lebanon has

the space or opportunity to restore its security, sovereignty, and stability through these negotiations.

An important point: what does official Lebanon hold?

Because what the Israeli side is using as an excuse is the inability of the Lebanese army,

and the inability of the Lebanese state, with which it is negotiating, to disarm the Party in the southern regions,

and other such points.

Very important. What leverage does he have?

True. But today, the Lebanese army also expressed this position, saying it is completing its deployment.

And it must be given the opportunity to complete this deployment through economic and military support.

Who is giving the opportunity to this army?

Who is giving the opportunity to the Lebanese army? And the Israeli side,

which is supposed to take this step and fulfill its obligations,

rejects this and makes excuses.

First, the Lebanese state. Second, the course of negotiations.

If the course of negotiations is in the interest of both countries,

in favor of ending the battles or the war between the two countries,

it also requires a kind of trust in the role of the Lebanese army.

Thank you very much. Thank you from Beirut, journalist Jad Shahrour.

Translated by Nancy Qanqar