Lebanon signals openness to US–French monitoring of Hezbollah weapons as ceasefire talks intensify

Israel confirmed earlier in the day that it has sent an official delegation to the latest round of talks in Lebanon.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Lebanon indicated Wednesday that it may accept a new security role for foreign forces in the country’s south, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati telling Ynet that Beirut is open to allowing American and French soldiers to “verify concerns regarding Hezbollah’s weapons in southern Lebanon.”

His remarks were delivered shortly after an oversight committee convened in the area, where representatives from several countries are meeting to preserve the fragile ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.

Mikati said Lebanon is prepared to expand the scope of discussions with Israel, noting, “We are ready for negotiations beyond military negotiations with Israel.”

He added that full normalization “is related to the peace process,” and argued that if both sides adhered to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, progress would eventually follow, though he emphasized that “we are still far from that.”

According to him, economic discussions “will be part of any normalization process with Israel, which will come after a peace agreement.”

Israel confirmed earlier in the day that it has sent an official delegation to the latest round of talks in Lebanon, led by Uri Resnick of the National Security Council. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said this marks the first time a civilian representative has participated in meetings with Lebanese officials. The talks are being held in Naqoura near the border, under the framework of the U.S.-led committee charged with implementing the November 2024 ceasefire.

Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli delegation was also instructed to explore opportunities for cooperation beyond security. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the acting director of the National Security Council to send a representative on his behalf to a meeting with government-economic elements in Lebanon,” the statement said, calling the move “an initial attempt to establish a basis for a relationship and economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon.”

The discussions are taking place as concerns grow about the durability of the truce. Hezbollah continues to reject any dismantling of its weapons, and Lebanese authorities have yet to establish a timeline for fulfilling the disarmament commitments included in the agreement.

Morgan Ortagus, President Donald Trump’s deputy special envoy to the Middle East, is expected to lead the American delegation, which will join officials from Israel, Lebanon, France, and UN peacekeepers. The meeting follows several weeks of Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, including a November 23 airstrike in Beirut that hit an apartment used by the group’s chief of staff, Haytham Ali Tabatabai.

Lebanon indicated Wednesday that it may accept a new security role for foreign forces in the country’s south, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati telling Ynet that Beirut is open to allowing American and French soldiers to “verify concerns regarding Hezbollah’s weapons in southern Lebanon,” Ynet reported.

His remarks came shortly after an oversight committee convened in the area, where representatives from several countries are meeting to preserve the fragile ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.

Mikati said Lebanon is prepared to expand the scope of discussions with Israel, noting, “We are ready for negotiations beyond military negotiations with Israel.” He added that full normalization “is related to the peace process” and argued that if both sides adhered to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, progress would eventually follow, though he emphasized that “we are still far from that.” According to him, economic discussions “will be part of any normalization process with Israel, which will come after a peace agreement.”

Israel confirmed earlier in the day that it has sent an official delegation to the latest round of talks in Lebanon, led by Uri Resnick of the National Security Council. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said this marks the first time a civilian representative has participated in meetings with Lebanese officials. The talks are being held in Naqoura, near the border, under the framework of the U.S.-led committee charged with implementing the November 2024 ceasefire.

Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli delegation was also instructed to explore opportunities for cooperation beyond security. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the acting director of the National Security Council to send a representative on his behalf to a meeting with government-economic elements in Lebanon,” the statement said, calling the move “an initial attempt to establish a basis for a relationship and economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon.”

The discussions are taking place as concerns grow about the durability of the truce. Hezbollah continues to reject any dismantling of its weapons, and Lebanese authorities have yet to establish a timeline for fulfilling the disarmament commitments included in the agreement.

Morgan Ortagus, President Donald Trump’s deputy special envoy to the Middle East, is expected to lead the American delegation, which will join officials from Israel, Lebanon, France, and UN peacekeepers. The meeting follows several weeks of Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, including a November 23 airstrike in Beirut that hit an apartment used by the group’s chief of staff, Haytham Ali Tabatabai.