Lebanese PM says ceasefire priority in upcoming Israel talks if attacks continue

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Friday that Lebanon is seeking to consolidate the ceasefire with Israel ahead of the next round of negotiations.

"If Israeli attacks continue, the first item in the negotiations will be consolidating the ceasefire," Salam said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

Salam said Lebanon would also raise the issues of halting Israeli attacks, securing the release of detainees, and setting a timetable for Israel's withdrawal to allow displaced residents to return and reconstruction efforts to begin.

He added that the negotiations, from Lebanon's perspective, could ultimately lead to ending the state of conflict between Lebanon and Israel.

Salam said Lebanon is seeking U.S. guarantees that would help restore the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Salam reiterated the Lebanese government's commitment to restricting arms under the authority of the state in line with cabinet decisions.

His remarks came amid a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect last month following weeks of cross-border fighting tied to broader regional tensions.

Israel and Lebanon will hold a third round of direct talks in Washington next week, U.S. State Department officials said Thursday.