Lebanese Response to Ceasefire Proposal Reaches Washington: Here’s What’s in It

Lebanese media outlets, quoting a Western diplomatic source, reported that Lebanon’s amendments to the U.S. proposal have been directly communicated to Washington. These amendments were presented without requiring a written response from Lebanon, serving instead as a preliminary reply delivered immediately by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. This response has laid the groundwork for open-ended negotiations, focusing on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

The source stated that the essence of the Lebanese response centers on rejecting Israeli military intervention whenever deemed necessary, as well as aerial surveillance. The source explained that Berri proposed a solution for the issue of the supervisory committee overseeing the implementation of the resolution. This solution is based on the framework of the April Understanding, which is currently under consideration and poses no significant obstacles in principle.

On Friday, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stated that the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire includes the formation of a committee consisting of Western countries to oversee the implementation of UN Resolution 1701. He emphasized that this is unacceptable for Lebanon, as reported by the Lebanese News Agency.

Berri added that the ceasefire proposal does not include any clause permitting the Israeli occupation army to operate freely in Lebanon under the pretext of potential threats, as demanded by Tel Aviv.

He firmly asserted that any clause allowing the Israeli army freedom of action within Lebanon is “unacceptable and cannot even be discussed, as it undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

On Thursday, two political sources told Reuters that the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon had delivered a draft ceasefire proposal to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, aimed at halting the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

The United States has been attempting to mediate a ceasefire to end the fighting between its ally, Israel, and Iran-backed Hezbollah. However, these efforts have not yet yielded any results.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority revealed the provisions of the proposed agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which include the following:

• • Recognition by both parties of the importance of UN Resolution 1701.

• • A provision allowing both parties the right to self-defense if necessary.

• • An acknowledgment that the Lebanese Army, in collaboration with the UNIFIL forces, is the only armed entity in the south.

• • The Lebanese government must oversee any sale or production of weapons within the country.

According to the proposal, Israel would be required to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon within seven days, with the Lebanese Army taking their place. This withdrawal would be supervised by the United States and another country.

The proposal also calls on Lebanon to disarm all non-state military groups in southern Lebanon within 60 days of the agreement’s signing.

Israeli media reported that the U.S. proposal stipulates that Hezbollah must retreat to the north of the Litani River, with the Lebanese Army assuming control of the south. It also seeks to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing positions in the area and to halt the transfer of weapons to the group via Syria. However, Israel insists on retaining the right to attack Hezbollah within Lebanon even after the agreement, a condition strongly rejected by Lebanon.

In contrast, Hezbollah maintains that any indirect negotiations with Israel must be based on two key principles: ending aggression and fully safeguarding Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Lebanese media also reported that Speaker Nabih Berri is leading the negotiations on behalf of Hezbollah.