Trump says he is reviewing new Iran peace proposal as Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon

The US Embassy in Beirut has called on the Lebanese government to step up its engagement with Israel – and quietly, to sideline Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group that has been designated a terrorist organisation by the US and Israel, which has been a major force in Lebanese politics for decades.

“Lebanon stands at a crossroads. Its people have an historic opportunity to reclaim their country and shape its future as a truly sovereign, independent nation,” the embassy said in a statement. social media post “The time for hesitation is over,” it warned Thursday.

The post did not directly mention Hezbollah but said Lebanon should “never go to war” with neighbouring Israel.

Hezbollah pulled Lebanon into the regional conflict by launching attacks on northern Israeli communities in response to the US-Israeli attacks on Iran that began on February 28.

Israel responded with overwhelming force, launching a new offensive against Hezbollah with a forceful campaign of airstrikes across the country, and later continuing a ground offensive in the south of Lebanon.

which officials say has killed some 2,590 people and displaced more than a million. Israeli leaders have said that forces will continue to occupy a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, where residents have been forced to evacuate indefinitely, until the Hezbollah threat is eliminated.

Hezbollah and Israel have accused each other of almost daily violations of a ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration between the Israeli and Lebanese governments, which has been extended until mid-May.

The US Embassy said on Thursday, “There will be a direct meeting between the two [Lebanon’s] President Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu, with President Trump’s assistance, which will give Lebanon the opportunity to offer concrete guarantees on full sovereignty, territorial integrity, secure borders, humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, and the full restoration of Lebanese state authority over every inch of its territory – guaranteed by the United States.

It said, “This is Lebanon’s moment to decide its own destiny and that of all its people. The United States is prepared to support Lebanon as it takes this opportunity with confidence and intelligence.

Lebanese Prime Minister Dr Nawaf Salam met with U.S. Ambassador Michelle Issa at his office in Beirut on Friday to discuss “consolidating the ceasefire and talks related to negotiations with Israel”, Salam’s office said in a statement. brief statement.