Lebanon to form delegation for potential talks with Israel; France denies having a ceasefire plan

Lebanon is preparing to form a delegation to negotiate with Israel in a bid to stop the war with Iran-backed Hezbollah, an official tells AFP, adding that there is still no Israeli commitment to the initiative.

“Negotiations are on the table and preparations are underway to form a delegation, but… neither the timing nor the location has been determined, with Paris and Cyprus being considered,” the official says, adding: “We also need an Israeli commitment to a truce.”

An Axios report on Saturday cited sources as saying the French government had drafted a plan to end the war in Lebanon that would require the government in Beirut to officially recognize Israel.

France’s foreign ministry, however, says there is “no French plan” to stop the fighting in Lebanon.

“France has supported the Lebanese authorities’ openness to direct talks with Israel and has offered to facilitate them,” says a ministry statement sent to AFP.

“But it is for the parties, and only the parties, to set the agenda for these talks,” it adds.