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Abbas, Israeli Defense Minister Hold Rare Talks

President Mahmoud Abbas gestures during a meeting in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank August 18, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/Pool
President Mahmoud Abbas gestures during a meeting in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank August 18, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/Pool
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Abbas, Israeli Defense Minister Hold Rare Talks

President Mahmoud Abbas gestures during a meeting in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank August 18, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/Pool
President Mahmoud Abbas gestures during a meeting in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank August 18, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/Pool

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank on Sunday for the first official Israeli-Palestinian talks since Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took office in June.

Gantz travelled to the West Bank city of Ramallah for security and economic discussions with the 85-year-old Palestinian leader, officials said on Monday.

They came hours after Israeli premier Bennett returned from Washington where he met with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

"Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Sunday) evening to discuss security policy, civilian and economic issues," Israel's defense ministry said in a statement.

Gantz, head of a centrist party in Israel's government coalition, told Abbas "that Israel seeks to take measures that will strengthen the PA's economy. They also discussed shaping the security and economic situations in the West Bank and in Gaza," it added.

"They agreed to continue communicating further."

The meeting included the head of the Israeli military branch responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, Ghasan Alyan, senior PA official Hussein Al Sheikh and Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj, AFP reported.

Al Sheikh confirmed the meeting on Twitter. Gantz's office said the defense minister and Abbas held "a one-on-one meeting" after the larger talks.

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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Am in Contact with Hezbollah, My Agreement with Nasrallah Still Stands

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Am in Contact with Hezbollah, My Agreement with Nasrallah Still Stands

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)

Lebanon’s parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that Beirut was still committed to the agreement reached with US envoy Amos Hochstein on a path that leads to a ceasefire with Israel and implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he categorically rejected tying the ceasefire to the presidential election in Lebanon.

“No one has anything to do with the election of a president and no one has the right to interfere in this issue. This is a sovereign affair,” he stressed.

“Even though we welcome any initiative to help us, we reject any meddling or dictates,” he added.

Berri held a series of meetings with various officials, including visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and army commander Jean Qahwaji.

“We informed the French minister of Lebanon’s position that is committed to a ceasefire and the immediate implementation of resolution 1701 in line with the agreement reached with the US envoy,” Berri said.

He revealed that he is in contact with Hezbollah and that its views “are not far off from our position.”

“I had previously made this initiative and had reached an agreement on it with Hassan Nasrallah. This agreement still stands,” he stated.

During his meeting with Barrot, Berri expressed his gratitude to France and President Emmanuel Macron on their “keenness and support to Lebanon, especially during this critical time with the ongoing Israeli attacks and siege that are preventing it from sending humanitarian aid to the displaced.”