Lebanese leaders warn of negotiations risking territorial loss

Lebanese political figures Walid Jumblatt and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have issued warnings regarding ongoing negotiations with Israel, comparing the potential outcome to the failed Palestinian Oslo Accords. Jumblatt cautioned that the current negotiation process risks becoming “negotiation for the sake of negotiation,” which could lead to increased Israeli control over Lebanese land and water resources, potentially resulting in settlements.

Nawaf Salam expressed support for Jumblatt’s concerns, emphasizing the need to learn from the Palestinian experience to avoid similar pitfalls. Salam highlighted the importance of the 1949 Armistice Agreement in defining Lebanon’s international borders and called for Israel to translate its commitments into concrete actions. He specifically questioned the lack of a clear withdrawal timetable and raised these concerns with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Salam noted that while the current tripartite framework is not ideal, it is based on principles of reciprocity and sequentiality. He also addressed the necessity of international forces at the border and the importance of establishing state authority across all Lebanese territories.