US asked Lebanon to declare unilateral ceasefire with Israel, sources say; both sides deny

In a statement to Reuters, Mikati’s office denied that the US had asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire. He said the government’s position was clear on seeking a ceasefire on both sides and implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the last round of conflict between the two enemies in 2006.

A US official also denied that such a proposal had been made. “The U.S. is working with both parties to reach a lasting ceasefire. Senior (White House) officials have visited both Lebanon and Israel in recent days to advance that effort,” the official said.

The sources said the US sought to persuade Beirut to regain some initiative in the talks, especially given the perception that Israel is likely to continue military operations that have already killed most of Hezbollah’s leadership and destroyed much of the country’s south.

Lebanon’s armed forces are not involved in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which began firing rockets at Israeli military installations a year ago in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas in Gaza.

Any effort to reach a ceasefire would need the green light from Hezbollah, which has ministers in Lebanon’s cabinet and whose members and allies hold a significant number of seats in the Lebanese Parliament.

The diplomats mediate with Hezbollah through the group’s ally, the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri. Hezbollah said it supports Berri’s efforts to reach a ceasefire, but says he must meet certain parameters, without providing details.