Hochstein Seeks ‘Diplomatic Solution’ to Prevent Lebanon, Israel from Sliding to 'Further Conflict'

Hochstein before his meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (EPA)

The US President’s special envoy Amos Hochstein has sought to overcome the Israeli “narrow window” and reach a “temporary compromise” with the Lebanese leaders that would avoid a further escalation of the border clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, based on a diplomatic initiative that he carried to Beirut.
Hochstein arrived in the Lebanese capital on Thursday afternoon to meet with Lebanese officials, within the framework of US efforts to reduce tensions on the border between Israel and Lebanon.
He first met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, before holding an expanded meeting with the minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bouhabib, the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Lebanon, Amanda Bales, and the accompanying US delegation.
“I firmly believe that the people of Lebanon do not want to see an escalation of the current crisis to a further conflict,” he told reporters, following his meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.
He continued: “We are obviously at a difficult time and a time of urgency, and I am grateful that I have been able to have meetings with the Lebanese government and with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces - the LAF - to discuss how we can arrive at a diplomatic solution for the crisis on the border between Israel and Lebanon.”
Hochstein underlined the need to “find a diplomatic solution that will allow for the Lebanese people to return to their homes in South Lebanon and to go back to their normal lives, as the people of Israel need to be able to return to their homes in their north, to be able to live with security.”
He revealed that he had good discussions with the Lebanese government, adding: “I am hopeful that we can continue to work this effort to arrive together, all of us on both sides of the border, with a solution that will allow for all people in Lebanon and Israel to live with guaranteed security and focus on a better future.”
Asked by a journalist whether he sensed a willingness from the Israeli side to negotiate, the US envoy replied: “I think you have all heard what the government of Israel has said, which is that there is a narrow window, but that they prefer a diplomatic solution. I think that is the case. We are living in a crisis moment where we would like to see a diplomatic solution, and I believe that both sides prefer a diplomatic solution. It is our job to get one.”
For his part, Berri told the daily that Hochstein brings a new idea for a solution, not an initiative or a particular suggestion.
He said that the Lebanese side has also given some ideas, “We will look into his ideas and he will look into ours, and will meet later”.