Lebanon discusses ‘de-confliction’ mechanism ahead of Israel talks

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has discussed a “de-confliction mechanism” for the country with United States Vice President JD Vance and the Qatari prime minister.

The phone call on Monday focused on consolidating the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese presidency said in a statement. The hostilities between the pair has seen the Israeli military occupy parts of southern Lebanon and launch persistent air strikes on the country while Hezbollah attacks northern Israel.

Hezbollah’s backer Iran has made a ceasefire a key condition in its ongoing negotiations over a ceasefire with the US, which launched an offensive against Iran alongside Israel in February.

Lebanon is due to resume peace talks with Israel in the US on Tuesday. However, Hezbollah has refused to abide by previous agreements to wind down hostilities and has criticised Lebanon for engaging with Israel.

Qatar and Pakistan – who served as mediators in the first round of US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland Sunday – said the “parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell” to “ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon,” but did not provide more details.

Vance later told a press conference that the mechanism intended to prevent incidents from spiralling “into a broader escalation”.

“We do believe … that we can get to a place where Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is protected, Israel’s security is protected,” he said.

“That’s going to require some coordination with the Lebanese armed forces, and also it’s going to require the Iranians to rein in Hezbollah,” Vance added.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media after the talks in Switzerland over a ceasefire with the US: “1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell.”

‘Full freedom’

Lebanon has emerged as a flashpoint between the US and Iran’s efforts to secure a lasting peace deal. Lebanese and Israeli delegations began their first direct talks since 1993 in April, with a fifth round of negotiations slated to begin Tuesday in Washington.

Tehran has long insisted that any peace deal with Washington must end the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, Israel has maintained its attacks on Lebanon, as Hezbollah has also continued its armed activity.

That has seen Washington issue increasingly harsh rebukes against Israel. Vance last week warned the Israeli leadership “you can’t just kill your way out” of national security crises, and demanded it the US.