Lebanon negotiating with Israel to obtain 'serenity, prosperity': Ghassan Salamé • FRANCE 24

Key Concepts

• Diplomatic Mediation: The role of the U.S. as a mediator between Lebanon and Israel, contrasted with its role as a belligerent in the Gulf.
• Political Pluralism: The preservation of Lebanon’s internal democratic discourse and freedom of expression despite ongoing conflict.
• November 2024 Arrangements: A previous agreement intended to end hostilities, which Lebanon claims Israel violated over 15,000 times.
• Substantive vs. Logistic Negotiations: The transition from procedural talks to addressing core issues like border demarcation and prisoner exchanges.
• UNIFIL: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, which maintains a presence in South Lebanon.

1. Current Diplomatic Status

Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are currently "touch and go," with uncertainty regarding Iranian participation following the U.S. seizure of an Iranian container ship off the coast of Oman. Simultaneously, Lebanon is preparing for a second round of talks in Washington, D.C., to address the precarious ceasefire currently in effect. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has appointed former ambassador Simon Karam as his envoy for these discussions.

2. The Lebanese Perspective on Negotiations

Ghassan Salamé, former UN advisor and diplomat, emphasizes that despite 50 years of conflict, Lebanon maintains its "DNA" of political pluralism.

• Initiation: President Aoun initiated the push for negotiations as early as March 2026, citing the failure of the November 2024 arrangements.
• Objectives: Lebanon’s core demands include:
  • Full Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon.
  • Formal demarcation of land and sea borders.
  • Release of Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails.
  • Application of international law regarding shared water resources.
• Concerns: Lebanon views Israeli demands—such as the disarmament of Hezbollah, the establishment of permanent security zones, or the construction of settlements—as "non-starters."

3. The Role of Mediators

• United States: While Lebanon acknowledges the U.S. may be biased toward Israel, Salamé notes that in the Washington talks, the U.S. has acted as a mediator rather than a belligerent. He stresses that for the process to succeed, the mediator must remain as "equidistant as possible" from both parties.
• France: Lebanon advocates for continued French involvement, citing France’s historical relationship with Lebanon and its significant contributions to UNIFIL. Despite Israeli opposition to French participation, Lebanon insists on their inclusion.

4. Impact of the Conflict

• Humanitarian Crisis: Lebanon is currently managing the needs of 1.2 million displaced persons.
• The April 8th Event: A significant turning point occurred on April 8, 2026, when an attack in Beirut resulted in over 350 deaths in under 10 minutes—a tragedy described as exceeding the scale of the 2020 Beirut port explosion.
• Psychological Toll: The constant presence of surveillance drones creates a state of perpetual anxiety, as these are frequently precursors to air strikes.

5. Key Arguments and Perspectives

• Negotiation Philosophy: Salamé argues that "you don’t negotiate with your friend; you negotiate with your enemies." The goal is to secure "serenity and prosperity" for the Lebanese people.
• Military Reality: Lebanon recognizes that the current military balance of power is not in its favor, but the government remains committed to prioritizing national interests over ideological rigidity.
• Ceasefire Requirements: Lebanon is pushing for an extension of the current ceasefire beyond April 27, arguing that substantive negotiations cannot occur while the country is under active bombardment.

6. Synthesis and Conclusion

The diplomatic situation remains fragile, characterized by a transition from logistical coordination to high-stakes substantive bargaining. Lebanon is attempting to leverage international mediation to secure territorial integrity and humanitarian relief, while navigating the internal opposition of groups like Hezbollah and the external pressure of Israeli military actions. The success of these talks depends heavily on the U.S.'s ability to act as a neutral mediator and the willingness of both sides to move beyond the current cycle of violence toward a sustainable, negotiated settlement.