Senior Lebanese Official: Lebanon Dreams of Peace with Israel
A senior Lebanese official stated at the MEAD conference in Washington that Lebanon dreams of peace with Israel following the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah.
A senior Lebanese official stated in a special interview on the sidelines of the MEAD conference in Washington that the Lebanese people dream of peace with Israel. According to the official, the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah by Israel opened a window of hope, describing Hezbollah as the "cancer of Lebanon" that has held the country hostage.
Demands and Concerns from Beirut
The official emphasized that while there is a broad consensus across most Lebanese communities in favor of peace, Israel must refrain from establishing settlements or engaging in destructive military practices in southern Lebanon. "Israel must ensure us that there will be no Israeli occupation in Lebanon," the official said, adding that Lebanon is a sovereign state with pride and not Gaza.
"Lebanon is not Gaza. Lebanon is a sovereign nation with pride. The international community supports strengthening the Lebanese army, but it takes time, and Israel needs to give us a chance and not overreact to Hezbollah's attacks." - Senior Lebanese Official
The Future of Bilateral Relations
Addressing the ongoing security tensions and the actions of the Lebanese army, the official noted that Hezbollah continues to launch drones at IDF forces to provoke disproportionate responses and derail political momentum. Despite these challenges, the official expressed optimism regarding future relations, concluding that eating hummus in Beirut could become a reality within a few years once Hezbollah is fully disarmed.
