Lebanon counting on US to pressure Israel, will not be intimidated by Hezbollah: PM

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Thursday that Beirut was convinced the US is the only party that can exert leverage over Israel.Speaking ahead of the second round of US-brokered talks between Lebanon and Israel, Salam said Washington's role was critical in reaching the initial 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah, the side that dragged Lebanon into the latest war.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“We hope they [the United States] will continue exercising their leverage over Israel,” Salam said.Speaking in an interview with the Washington Post, Salam said Beirut could not sign any deal with Israel unless it fully withdrew from Lebanon. “We cannot live with a so-called buffer zone, an Israeli presence where Lebanese displaced people are not allowed to return, where destroyed villages and towns cannot be rebuilt.”The Lebanese premier also hit back against criticism by Hezbollah and its main backer and weapons

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