Washington focuses on preventing collapse of Lebanon talks

Political reports say Washington is currently focused on preventing the collapse of the negotiating track and stopping Israeli escalation from turning into a wider confrontation, rather than on reaching a quick final settlement. The United States understands the sensitivity of the situation in Lebanon, and also understands that continued attacks and occupation weaken the Lebanese state’s ability to advance difficult internal issues, led by the issue of restricting weapons. At the same time, it has not yet succeeded in pushing Israel to provide what Beirut considers the necessary counterpart for any Lebanese progress.