Lebanon confirms receiving US cease-fire proposal amid Israeli attacks

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced Friday that he received a U.S. proposal for a cease-fire as Israel’s assault on Lebanon continues.

Berri, quoted by the Lebanese news agency, said discussions on the proposal’s details are ongoing.

Meanwhile, he denied that the proposal “includes any kind of freedom of movement for the Israeli army in Lebanon,” calling such a condition “unacceptable” and non-negotiable. He reaffirmed Lebanon’s stance against compromising its sovereignty.

The Lebanese official also rejected claims that the proposal includes deploying NATO or other foreign forces in Lebanon. He expressed opposition to the proposal’s suggestion of a Western oversight committee to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which Lebanon finds unacceptable.

“We are discussing an alternative mechanism, but Lebanon will not proceed with it. There is already an established mechanism that could be activated,” Berri said, adding that ongoing negotiations are progressing positively.

He also noted that the arrival of U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein in Lebanon will depend on the progress of the talks.

Adopted on Aug. 11, 2006, U.N. Resolution 1701 demands a complete cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the Blue Line — the de facto boundary between Lebanon and Israel — and the Litani River. The resolution allows only the Lebanese army and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to possess weapons and military equipment in the area.

Berri refrained from revealing all details of the U.S. cease-fire proposal, which was reportedly delivered to Lebanon by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson on Thursday. However, Israeli state-run broadcaster Kan claimed that the proposal includes mutual recognition by both Israel and Lebanon of the importance of Resolution 1701 while maintaining their right to self-defense if necessary.

The proposal also stipulates that, alongside UNIFIL forces, the Lebanese Army will be the sole armed force in southern Lebanon up to the Blue Line. It further calls for preventing the rearming of non-state groups in Lebanon in accordance with Resolution 1701 and stipulates that any arms sales or production within Lebanon will be monitored by the Lebanese government.

Provisions of the US proposal

In exchange, the U.S. proposal requires Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon within seven days, with the Lebanese Army replacing them. The withdrawal will be overseen by the U.S. and other unspecified countries.

The proposal also calls for Lebanon to disarm any non-state military groups in southern Lebanon within 60 days of signing the agreement.

Hezbollah response pending

Hezbollah has yet to comment on the Israeli broadcaster’s report, while Israel awaits a Lebanese response to the proposal.

According to Israeli media, Washington recently proposed a plan requiring Hezbollah to withdraw north of the Litani River, with the Lebanese Army deployed in the south. The proposal also includes measures to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing positions in the region and halting the transfer of weapons from Syria to the group.

Israel has insisted it will continue targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon even after any agreement, a stance Lebanon strongly rejects.

Hezbollah has emphasized that any indirect negotiations with Israel must be based on two conditions: a cease-fire and full, undiminished protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Israel launched an air campaign in Lebanon targeting what it claims are Hezbollah positions in late September, escalating a year of cross-border warfare. More than 3,400 people have been killed, nearly 14,600 injured, and over 1 million displaced by Israeli attacks since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel also launched an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1 this year.