Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington

WASHINGTON — Lebanon and Israel opened their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic opportunity” but making clear no breakthrough agreement was immediately expected. Rubio said the Trump administration is “very happy” to be facilitating the discussions, while noting that “we understand we’re working against decades of history and complexities” that will not be quickly resolved. Hezbollah opposes the direct talks and was not represented, and the group appeared to step up its fire on northern Israel as the talks began. “But we can begin to move forward with a framework where something can happen, something very positive, something very permanent, so that the people of Lebanon can have the kind of future they deserve, and so that the people of Israel can live without fear,” Rubio said. Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz attended the opening of the session at the State Department

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