US special envoy Amos Hochstein said Tuesday in Beirut that an end to the Israel-Hezbollah war was "now within our grasp" as he met officials to discuss a truce plan largely endorsed by Lebanon.
Israel expanded the focus of its operations from Gaza to Lebanon, vowing to secure its northern border to allow tens of thousands of people displaced by the cross-border fire to return home.
After meeting with Hezbollah-allied parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who has led mediation on behalf of the group, Hochstein told reporters he saw "a real opportunity" to end the fighting.
"I'm here in Beirut to facilitate that decision, but it's ultimately the decision of the parties... It is now within our grasp."
Berri told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat after the meeting that "the situation is good, in principle", adding his team and US representatives still had "some technical details" to settle.
Hochstein also met Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and army chief Joseph Aoun.
Israel expanded the focus of its operations from Gaza to Lebanon, vowing to secure its northern border to allow tens of thousands of people displaced by the cross-border fire to return home.
After meeting with Hezbollah-allied parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who has led mediation on behalf of the group, Hochstein told reporters he saw "a real opportunity" to end the fighting.
"I'm here in Beirut to facilitate that decision, but it's ultimately the decision of the parties... It is now within our grasp."
Berri told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat after the meeting that "the situation is good, in principle", adding his team and US representatives still had "some technical details" to settle.
Hochstein also met Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and army chief Joseph Aoun.
15 hours ago
