Top US envoy urges Israel to curb strikes on Lebanon amid Syria talks
US envoy Thomas Barrack arrived in Israel on Sunday and held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over regional security, three Israeli officials said, as Washington pushes for restraint in Lebanon and progress in negotiations with Syria.
The meeting, first reported by Axios, followed Barrack’s discussions with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Defence Minister Israel Katz. According to the Jerusalem Post, the US is pressing Israel to limit military operations in Lebanon while engaging in talks on southern Syria.
Dermer also met Syria’s foreign minister Asaad al Shaibani in Paris last week, two Syrian sources said, as part of US-mediated efforts to establish security arrangements along the border. Earlier rounds of indirect talks in July ended without a breakthrough.
On Monday in Beirut, Barrack urged Israel to adopt a proposed roadmap under which Hezbollah would disarm by year’s end in return for a halt to Israeli air, sea and ground operations and a phased troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s cabinet endorsed the plan’s goals earlier this month, despite Hezbollah rejecting disarmament. Barrack said it was now Israel’s responsibility to show cooperation.
Netanyahu’s office did not immediately comment.
