US envoy in Beirut for talks after Lebanon, Hezbollah approve truce draft

Published November 19, 2024 Updated November 19, 2024 12:50pm

US envoy Amos Hochstein has landed in Beirut for talks with officials on a truce between Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanon’s state news agency said, hours after a proposal drafted by Washington won a nod from the group, Reuters reports.

The visit indicates progress in US-led diplomacy aimed at ending a conflict which escalated further in late September, when Israel launched a major offensive against Hezbollah.

Both the Lebanese government and Hezbollah have agreed to the US ceasefire proposal that was submitted in writing last week and made some comments on the content, Ali Hassan Khalil, an aide to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, told Reuters a day ago.

Khalil said Israel was trying to negotiate “under fire”, a reference to an escalation of its bombardment of Beirut and the southern suburbs. “This won’t affect our position,” he said.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...
Tribunals’ failure
Updated 19 Nov, 2024

Tribunals’ failure

With election tribunals having failed to fulfil their purpose, it isn't surprising that Pakistan has not been able to stabilise.
Balochistan MPC
19 Nov, 2024

Balochistan MPC

WHILE immediate threats to law and order must be confronted by security forces, the long-term solution to...
Firm tax measures
19 Nov, 2024

Firm tax measures

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is ready to employ force to make everyone and every sector in Pakistan pay their...