US envoy meets anti-Hezbollah factions in Lebanon amid efforts to halt border clashes

US special envoy Amos Hochstein has met Lebanese groups opposed to Hezbollah for the first time.

The meeting came during his third visit to Lebanon amid efforts to find a solution to the Iran-backed militia’s border conflict with Israel.

Mr Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Monday and warned that a Gaza truce wouldn’t necessarily apply to clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border.

He then travelled to Israel, where he met Defence Minister Yoav Gallant yesterday and was expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Until now, the US envoy has consulted only the viewpoint in Lebanon aligned with Hezbollah,” said Michel Moawad, an anti-Hezbollah member of Lebanon’s Parliament who met Mr Hochstein on Monday. “This does not represent a majority of the Lebanese, and the parliamentary opposition bloc, which has contested Hezbollah’s military action in the south and the unity of the fronts with Hamas.”

He welcomed Mr Hochstein’s talks with politicians opposed to Hezbollah as an “important” step.

On October 8, Hezbollah began to launch artillery fire over Lebanon’s southern border in an effort to divert Israeli military resources from its operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Since then, the conflict has steadily extended deeper into Lebanon despite western diplomatic efforts, raising fears of escalation.

“Averting a full-blown war was at the heart of our discussions,” Mr Moawad said. “This would be catastrophic for Lebanon.

“The destruction in Lebanon is already amounting to over $2 billion, not to mention the economic losses the entire country is experiencing.”

Mr Moawad called for the comprehensive application of UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war, on both sides of the border. The resolution called for the withdrawal of Hezbollah north of the Litani River, which is 30km from the border, while barring Israel from conducting military operations in Lebanon.

“There should be no compromises in-between,” he said.

Talks have focused on adjusting the resolution, as a strict enforcement is considered unacceptable to Hezbollah.

In February, France submitted a proposal to Lebanese authorities suggesting the dismantling of all Hezbollah positions and installations near the border and withdrawing its combat capabilities at least 10km from the frontier.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah condemned the western proposals in a speech, claiming they served only Israeli interests.

During his visit, Mr Hochstein also met Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is aligned with Hezbollah.

“We are working with international partners to promote a peaceful solution in Lebanon,” the US envoy said afterwards. “The diplomatic solution is the only way out.”

Hezbollah has said any halt in hostilities on the Lebanon-Israel front would be contingent on a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel has warned of a potential large-scale military intervention in Lebanon.

“We are committed to the diplomatic process, however Hezbollah’s aggression is bringing us closer to a critical point in the decision-making regarding our military activities in Lebanon,” Mr Gallant said after his meeting with Mr Hochstein yesterday.