Beirut, Lebanon – Web Desk: Lebanese authorities have confirmed that President Joseph Aoun will not engage in direct communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the near future.
According to Lebanese officials speaking to Reuters, President Aoun will not hold any telephone contact with the Israeli leader, and Lebanon’s embassy in Washington has formally informed the United States government of this position.
The decision is being viewed as a setback to US-mediated diplomatic efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue between Lebanon and Israel.
Earlier, a member of Israel’s security cabinet had claimed that Prime Minister Netanyahu was expected to speak with the Lebanese president, a statement now effectively denied by Beirut.
