WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that negotiators have made “good progress” toward an agreement that would bring a truce in Israel’s offensive in Lebanon.
According to AFP, he said that the US was “working very hard” on concluding arrangements on a deal that would also include the withdrawal of Hezbollah from the border with Israel.
Blinken told media persons that based on his recent visit to the region, and the work that’s going on right now, they have made good progress over the matter. The US top diplomat said that they still have more work to do, calling for a “diplomatic solution, including through a truce.”
He called again for implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701, dating from 2006, which also calls for the disarmament of non-state groups in Lebanon and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the country.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also said there was an “opportunity” in Lebanon, adding that are are hopeful to see things transition in Lebanon in a not too distant future.
