Following talks held Friday in Naqoura, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the meeting addressed ways to advance economic initiatives with Lebanon, alongside ongoing security discussions.
In a statement, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the meeting aimed to continue the security dialogue, ensure the disarmament of Hezbollah, and address the ways to advance economic initiatives with Lebanon. The talks also focused on “ensuring sustainable security for residents on both sides of the border with Lebanon,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the discussion of economic initiatives with Lebanon reflects an interest in removing what Israel described as the threat posed by Hezbollah.
Earlier on Friday, members of the ‘Pentalateral’ Forum convened for their 15th meeting in Naqoura to advance coordinated efforts supporting stability and a lasting cessation of hostilities, the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon announced in a press release.
The meeting was held by a special committee of representatives from the United States, France, Israel, Lebanon, and the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL.
Military participants provided operational updates and explored ways to deepen military-to-military cooperation, emphasizing that a strong Lebanese Armed Force, the guarantor of security in the South Litani Sector, “is central to maintaining peace and security.” Meanwhile, civilian representatives concentrated on creating conditions for residents to safely return to their homes, advancing reconstruction efforts, and addressing pressing economic priorities. The statement highlighted that durable political and economic progress is essential to reinforcing security gains.
The U.S. Embassy noted that all participants reaffirmed the link between security and political progress, stressing that both tracks are mutually reinforcing and vital for long-term stability and prosperity. “The forum looks forward to continuing its work in the next scheduled meetings in 2026,” the statement concluded.
First Civilian Meeting
The first “mechanism” meeting that included civilian representatives was held on December 3, marking the first direct contact between civilian officials from both sides in over three decades. The outcome was reportedly positive. On the Lebanese side, border delineation was a priority, while the Israeli side focused on a US-backed economic zone.
Israel was represented by the National Security Council Deputy Director for Foreign Policy Uri Resnick. Morgan Ortagus, the US special representative for Lebanon, headed the US delegation, while Lebanon was represented by former ambassador to the US Simon Karam.
Both sides offered differing accounts of the first meeting’s results. Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the talks as an “initial attempt to create a basis for relations and economic cooperation” between the two countries.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam countered this statement, claiming that “economic relations would be part of such normalization, so then obviously anyone following the news would know that we are not there at all.”
Israel has been ramping up its military campaign, amid reports circulating of potential Israeli escalation targeting Hezbollah. While economic cooperation will be on today’s agenda, the meeting also reportedly aims to prevent a resumption of war.
Comments