Lebanon responded Wednesday to statements made by an Israeli political source who expressed interest in advancing normalization between the countries. Officials in Beirut categorically denied that the indirect dialogue with Jerusalem would lead to normalization.
Sources in the Lebanese presidential office told Al-Mayadeen channel that assertions about dialogue committees between Israel and Lebanon serving as a prelude to normalization are unfounded. According to these sources, the three committees established to resolve existing issues with Israel represent a continuation of implementing UN Resolution 1701. The sources emphasized that these committees will not involve direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
"The committees will address longstanding issues – specifically border disputes and points that have remained contentious since 2006," the officials stated. They also confirmed that the five points in southern Lebanon where the IDF continues to maintain control will be among the topics for dialogue. Earlier, a political source indicated that the talks are being conducted with the objective of transitioning to a diplomatic-political track.
In a separate development, sources informed the Qatari channel Al-Araby, which has close ties to the Damascus regime, that efforts are underway to organize a visit to Israel by Druze religious leaders from the town of Hader in southern Syria.
According to the report, this initiative is being coordinated by official Israeli sources. The town is located in Quneitra province near the border with Israel. The sources claim that a Druze sheikh in Israel has pressured residents of the town to participate in the visit. The report further stated that the visit would be conducted in coordination with the IDF.
