PM’s office praises ‘positive spirit’ at Israel-Lebanon-US meeting, floats ‘economic cooperation’

The meeting today in Lebanon between Israeli, Lebanese and US officials was held “in a positive atmosphere,” says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

“The meeting was conducted in a positive spirit, and it was agreed that ideas would be developed to promote possible economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon,” says the PMO.

“Israel emphasized that the disarmament of Hezbollah is mandatory, regardless of progress in economic cooperation,” according to the Israeli readout of the meeting, which took place just over the border in Lebanon’s Naqoura.

The sides agreed to continue the dialogue, says Israel. It was the first direct talks in decades between Israel and Lebanon.

Israel was represented by National Security Council Deputy Director for Foreign Policy Uri Resnick. Morgan Ortagus, the US special representative for Lebanon, headed the US delegation, while Lebanon was represented by former ambassador to the US Simon Karam.

Earlier on Wednesday, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the premier instructed Gil Reich, acting head of the National Security Council, to send a representative to Lebanon to meet with government and economic officials, calling it “an initial attempt to create a basis for a relationship and economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon.”

Wednesday’s meeting came as Israeli and US officials have warned that the IDF could embark on a major operation if the Lebanese government does not make progress in disarming the Hezbollah terror group.

Earlier, Lebanon’s prime minister said if there were to be a peace agreement between the countries, “normalization will follow, but we are not there at all.” He said the talks today were not peace talks.

Reuters contributed to this report.