Paris proposes Lebanon recognise Israel

Turin, 14 March (LaPresse) – The French government has drawn up a proposal to end the war in Lebanon that would require the Beirut government to recognise Israel. This was reported to Axios by three sources familiar with the matter. The Lebanese government, deeply concerned that a new war could devastate the country, has accepted the plan as a basis for peace talks. Under the Paris proposal, Israel and Lebanon would open negotiations, with the support of the United States and France, on a ‘political declaration’ to be agreed within a month. The negotiations would begin at the level of senior diplomats before moving to the highest political levels. French officials, the sources explain, want the talks to take place in Paris. The proposed declaration would include Lebanon’s initial recognition of Israel and the Lebanese government’s commitment to respect Israel’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel and Lebanon would also reaffirm their commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war, as well as the 2024 ceasefire agreement.