Diplomatic Doublespeak On Lebanon Puts US-Iran Peace Deal In Danger
Despite the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, Lebanon on Wednesday saw one of the biggest strikes in the country. However, in an interview with CNN, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, said that the ceasefire covers Lebanon, despite Israeli strikes.
Responding to the questions about the parties of the ceasefire deal and Israeli strikes in Lebanon despite Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif claiming that the truce talks included peace for Beirut, Ambassador Sheikh called the understandings “authentic”.
He told CNN, “The description and understanding have come from the highest level in Pakistan, so it could not have been more authentic in terms of the offer made by the Prime Minister and accepted by the two conflicting parties of affording a ceasefire for two weeks”.
He added, “This is a situation of a ceasefire that could be disrupted and there have been instances in the past where ceasefires have been disrupted.”
Lebanon faces a critical moment as the country saw one of the largest strikes shortly after a ceasefire was announced between Iran and the United States.
Previously, Pakistan PM has stated that Lebanon was included in the ceasefire, but Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu both have dismissed this statement, allowing Israel to continue its military operations against Hezbollah.
As tensions escalate in Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday that the country declared a day of mourning after a wave of Israeli strikes killed at least 254 people and injured more than 1,165 in a single day on Wednesday.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Israelis will continue their offensive in South Lebanon aimed at neutralising the threat from Hezbollah, despite backing the US decision to suspend strikes against Iran as the two nations look to work out a lasting peace formula.
“Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region. Israel also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran’s Arab neighbours and the world,” a statement from Netanyahu’s Office read.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, reaffirmed Tel Aviv’s objective is to achieve a situation without “Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure” in Southern Lebanon as Israel continues to strike Lebanon after the ceasefire with Iran.
Speaking with ANI, Reuven Azar differentiated between its conflict with Hezbollah and Iran, showing extensive support for the temporary ceasefire with Tehran, while reaffirming Tel Aviv’s goal in southern Lebanon.
“It has nothing to do with the operation in Iran. When it comes to Lebanon, as I said, we have to achieve a situation in which southern Lebanon will be cleaned from Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure. That’s the responsibility of the Lebanese government. When it comes to Iran, we hope that this negotiation will lead to the conditions that are part of the 15-point plan. That means no military nuclear capabilities on Iranian soil, curbing their ballistic missile program and a full stop to the proliferation of terror in the region,” he said. (ANI)
