Israel Discussing Initiative to Sign Non-aggression Treaty with Lebanon
The Israeli foreign ministry is examining an initiative aimed at reaching a long-term non-belligerence pact with Lebanon to prevent renewed fighting along the border, Haaretz daily reported on Monday.
The initiative was first revealed two weeks ago during a strategic discussion over the future of the Middle East peace process that was held as part of the ministry”s evaluation of regional developments, the Israeli newspaper said.
The evaluation is the first of its kind, and was initiated by ministry director-general Aharon Abramovich, and later supported by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, it added.
Livni”s close advisers and senior ministry officials reportedly participated in the discussion but given the officials” close relationship with Livni, the evaluation”s recommendations are likely to turn into official policy should she succeed in forming a government, according to Haaretz.
Eran Etzion, the head of the foreign ministry”s political planning section, told Haaretz that a full peace agreement with Lebanon can only come in the wake of a similar deal with Syria. Still, he said, Israel can try to advance on a separate political track with Lebanon, the end result of which could be a long-term non-belligerence pact.
The agreement would be signed by both governments, and its focus would be a reciprocal agreement on the route of the border between the two countries. The deal would include a solution to the dispute over the Shebaa Farms border area and the divided village of Ghajar, as well as a number of small border adjustments demanded by Lebanon, the daily reported.
The recommendation would provide for a coordination apparatus between the Israel Defense Forces and the Lebanese army, as well as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) over border patrols and other monitoring activities, the leading Israeli newspaper said.
Israel, according to the initiative revealed by Haaretz, is expected to ask Lebanon to significantly reduce Hizbullah”s weapons stores, and to extend the Lebanese army”s authority across the entire country, with a special emphasis on the area south of the Litani River, which is the closest area to Israel. In return, an agreement would have to be reached over Israeli overflights in Lebanese airspace.