Widely informed Lebanese sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Iran has “clearly pledged” to leaderships in Beirut to include Lebanon in any possible deal that could end the war between it and the US and Israel.
The sources said Lebanese officials learned through non-diplomatic channels that Tehran informed a number of its allies in Lebanon that any agreement to end the war will “certainly include Lebanon.”
Lebanon fears that should the war end, Israel will shift all of its attention on the Lebanese front. The Israeli military’s recent maneuvers indicate that it may be planning to launch broader operations.
President Joseph Aoun, meanwhile, received parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt and army commander Rodolphe Haykal in separate meetings at the Baabda presidential palace.
In a telephone call with Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri hoped that Iran and the US would reach a deal soon and that it would also lead to an end to Israel’s war on Lebanon.
Asked if Aoun had brought up with him the issue of naming a Shiite representative to the Lebanese delegation expected to hold negotiations with Israel, he replied: “I focused on the issues of the displaced that should be addressed through the utmost seriousness.”
He expressed his concern that “Israel may exploit the situation in order stir strife in Lebanon.”
“Israel is bombing bridges in the South and we must not lose internal bridges of communications. This is what Israel is seeking,” he warned.
A statement from the presidency said Aoun and Berri discussed Israel’s targeting of bridges with the aim to cut off the South from the rest of Lebanon. They addressed the plight of the nearly 1 million displaced people.
They praised the Lebanese people for welcoming the displaced, underlining national unity and solidarity during the crisis and the importance of maintaining civil peace and avoiding rumors that aim to harm Lebanon.
Aoun then met with PM Salam, who told reporters at the presidential palace that he was in daily contact with the president. “We are working with everyone to end the war as soon as possible,” he added.
After meeting with Aoun, Jumblatt condemned to reporters “accusations of treason” that have been directed against the president and prime minister given their willingness for Lebanon to hold negotiations with Israel.
“Negotiations are acceptable if they are held on declared foundations. The president's swearing in speech committed to the truce agreement, Taif Accord and international resolutions,” he went on to say.
“Negotiations are among the world’s legitimate means. We object to the rejection of the negotiations for the sake of rejecting them and for keeping Lebanon an open battlefield,” he stressed.
Aoun and Haykal discussed the security situation in the country, especially in the South amid the expected Israel escalation.
The president urged the army commander to bolster security measures throughout the country, especially in Beirut and to closely watch over the safety of displacement shelters.
