Israel and Lebanon hold first direct talks since 1993

Israel and Lebanon hold first direct talks since 199345 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBernd Debusmann Jr,at the White HouseandNada Tawfik,at the State DepartmentGetty ImagesSecretary of State Marco Rubio said the talks were a 'historic' opportunity to end Hezbollah influence in the region. Lebanon and Israel have held their first direct diplomatic talks in over three decades, a rare encounter aimed at ending fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. No immediate outcome was expected from the discussion, which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said was also a "historic opportunity" to end Hezbollah's influence in the region. The two countries do not have diplomatic relations, and the last direct, high-level talks between them took place in 1993. Over 2,000 people have been killed since Israeli military operations in Lebanon began on 2 March, just days after US and Israeli strikes began in Iran. Lebanese officials hope the talks result in a ceasefire and the disarmament of Hezbollah, as well as avert a renewed, long-term Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Rubio said the meeting was "a process, not an event". "This is more than just one day. This will take time, but we believe it is worth this endeavor," he said. "It's a historic gathering that we hope to build on." In a statement, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that he hopes the talks will "mark the beginning of the end of the suffering of the Lebanese people in general, and those in the south in particular." Hezbollah, a well-armed and sophisticated militia group that was founded in 1982, holds enormous sway in Lebanon's predominantly Shia south as well as in the southern suburbs of its capital, Beirut. Politicians affiliated with the group also hold two cabinet-level positions with the government. Their relationship with Lebanon's central government,...