US Issues Ultimatum To Lebanon: Negotiate With Israel Or Face Military Escalation

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Lebanese sources reported on Thursday that Lebanon faces a US ultimatum to establish civilian committees for negotiations with Israel by the end of this month.

According to the reports, Morgan Ortagus, Deputy U.S. envoy to the Middle East, spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, delivering a clear message: If Lebanon refuses the proposal, Washington may “withdraw from the oversight committee and grant Israel operational freedom”.

Sources familiar with the details revealed that “the deadline given to Lebanon for starting negotiations is non-negotiable,” and the Americans are pushing for immediate talks under the existing framework. The reports explain that this American move is part of Washington’s efforts to expand the scope of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel beyond military issues alone.

According to Lebanese officials, the U.S. is asking to form “diplomatic working groups” focusing on three main issues: