Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump will meet Lebanese and Israeli envoys at a new round of peace talks Thursday, with Beirut seeking a one-month extension of a shaky ceasefire set to expire.
With Trump struggling to push Iran into a deal on the wider regional war, the United States is hoping for progress on Lebanon, which Israel has pounded in response to Hezbollah fire.
The talks, previously planned at the State Department like the first round last week and to be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were shifted to the White House.
“President Trump will greet both representatives upon their arrival,” a US official said on condition of anonymity.
Israel stated ahead of the talks that it has no “serious disagreements” with the Lebanese government, calling on it to “work together” against Hezbollah, which is notably absent from and opposed to the negotiations.
During the meeting, Lebanon will request “to extend the ceasefire, which also includes a halt to the destruction of homes and attacks on civilians, places of worship, journalists and the medical and educational sectors,” Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said.
A Lebanese official told AFP that the government would request the extension by one month.
Aoun said he hoped to visit Washington and meet with Trump.
