U.S. Envoy Morgan Ortagus will visit Lebanon to discuss Israel’s withdrawal from Southern Lebanon and the status of Hezbollah captives. Negotiations involve Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s strategy and international pressure for Israeli withdrawal by February 18. The International Committee of the Red Cross may offer support for captive discussions, emphasizing the intricate nature of these diplomatic efforts.
U.S. Envoy Morgan Ortagus is set to visit Lebanon following his arrival in Tel Aviv, focusing on the Israeli withdrawal from five strategically important locations in South Lebanon and the discussion of Hezbollah captives held by Israel. Key meetings will be conducted both bilaterally and during the ceasefire monitoring committee session scheduled for Friday.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has prepared a plan addressing Israel’s occupation of areas including Labbouneh, Yaroun, Odaisseh, Kfarkela, and Khiam. However, he will reveal specific details only after his discussions with Ortagus.
The U.S. and France, which are part of the monitoring committee, are advocating for a full Israeli withdrawal by February 18. Despite this, there are concerns about U.S.-Israeli agreements that may postpone this withdrawal, especially due to Israel’s skepticism regarding the capacities of the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL to manage Hezbollah’s influence.
In addition to territorial negotiations, discussions will include seven Hezbollah members currently detained by Israel, whose names have been shared with the media. Efforts are being made to address their status in talks with the U.S. envoy and monitoring committee.
Furthermore, the International Committee of the Red Cross has offered to assist in resolving the prisoner issue but has kept its strategies for negotiation discreet, leaving the possibility of intervention unclear.
The discussions surrounding the U.S. Envoy Morgan Ortagus’s visit to Lebanon are centered on critical geopolitical issues concerning Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon and the status of captured Hezbollah members. These discussions are part of broader negotiations facilitated by the U.S. and France to ensure stability in the region. Both the international community and local governments are attempting to navigate complex relationships while addressing security concerns and humanitarian considerations.
The upcoming discussions led by U.S. Envoy Morgan Ortagus in Lebanon symbolize a significant engagement over territorial sovereignty and prisoner exchanges related to Hezbollah. The emphasis is on achieving complete Israeli withdrawal by mid-February, while addressing concerns about security capabilities in the region. The involvement of international bodies, like the Red Cross, underscores the complexity of these negotiations and the need for cooperation among various stakeholders.
Original Source: www.lbcgroup.tv
