Lebanon Upholds Framework

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in agreement with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, is holding fast to the “framework agreement” for negotiations with Israel under U.S. auspices. He rejects replacing it with a memorandum of understanding that would link the Lebanese track to Iran, and is urging Washington to press for its implementation. Aoun also favors indirect communication with Hezbollah and a reduction in tensions, while affirming that the state must have a monopoly on arms and opposing political escalation with the group. A ministerial source believes electoral shifts in the United States and Israel could affect the situation, but warns that continued linkage of the negotiations to Iran, along with the imbalance of power, limits the prospects for de-escalation and reconstruction.

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