President Trump is putting a personal touch on Israel-Lebanon peace talks, opting to host officials from both countries at the White House on Thursday.
Diplomats from the warring nations had planned to speak at the Statement Department.
Instead, “the ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon will now take place at the White House. President Trump will greet the representatives upon their arrival,” a White House official said.
Representatives from Israel and Lebanon are working to extend the 10-day ceasefire they struck after an initial round of talks in Washington.
Israel has bombarded Lebanon as part of its war on Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters in the country.
However, the strikes have killed many civilians, including children, paramedics and at least one journalist.
Hezbollah is a Shiite militant group that acts both as a political party and an Iran-backed proxy in Lebanon.
Peace talks between the nations are running in parallel to negotiations between the U.S. and Iran about ending the conflict in the Middle East.
Mr. Trump has said that a final Iran would not be tethered to the Israel-Lebanon situation, though Hezbollah would be dealt with in “an appropriate manner.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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