Daijiworld Media Network - Beirut

Beirut, Aug 15: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is pressing for a clear timetable for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory, as Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem criticised the government’s approach to negotiations, accusing it of exposing the Lebanese army to further pressure and humiliation.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, Salam met US Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa and General Joseph Clearfield, who heads the US military coordination group for Lebanon, to discuss the military track of negotiations with Israel and the latest developments in southern Lebanon.

“Salam stressed the need for Israel to stop destruction operations, expand the scope of pilot areas, and set a clear timetable for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory,” the statement said.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri separately met the same US officials and accused Israel of continuing to violate Lebanon’s territory.

“Israel has not stopped its violations and attacks on Lebanon,” Berri said, citing the continued demolition of villages, destruction of farmland, forest fires and damage to heritage sites.

He said the key to restoring stability was for Israel to stop its military operations and withdraw to the international border.

US Ambassador Issa described the talks as “positive” and said negotiations would continue, but did not provide a date for the next round.

Qassem, however, strongly criticised Beirut’s position and accused Lebanese officials of placing the army under “undue pressure” by implementing what he described as a non-functional agreement.

“How can you accept this ongoing humiliation of the Lebanese army, exposing it to bombardment and Israeli pressures, instead of acting as its protectors?” Qassem said on Friday.

He accused Israel of seeking to bind Lebanon to an oversight mechanism that would control the deployment and internal operations of the Lebanese army.

Qassem also pointed to continuing Israeli military activity in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, the first designated pilot zone, where he said Israeli forces had continued striking homes and demolishing tunnels despite the presence of Lebanese troops.

He challenged Lebanese officials to “name a single achievement from the seven rounds of negotiations”.

Issa, meanwhile, told reporters that Israeli attacks would stop only if Hezbollah disarmed.

“If they give up their weapons, everything will stop,” he said.

The June trilateral framework, involving Lebanon, Israel and the United States, calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops currently occupy several areas.

However, significant differences remain between the parties.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel would not withdraw from Lebanese territory until Hezbollah is disarmed. Israeli forces currently occupy several towns and areas along the Lebanese side of the border.

The Israeli military has continued operations in southern Lebanon, including the demolition of homes and displacement of residents, according to Lebanese authorities.

The next round of negotiations is expected to resume in early September.

Lebanese authorities said Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 4,335 people, wounded 12,277 and displaced more than one million people.