Report: US promises to press Israel to deescalate with Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun’s contacts with the Americans over the past two days “failed to obtain a decision decision from Washington to sway Israel to halt the strikes” on Lebanon, the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Wednesday.

“The Americans only promised Lebanon to do everything they can to alleviate the tensions, at a time the U.S. has granted Israel the right to strike targets inside Lebanon,” the daily added.

Informed sources meanwhile told Nidaa al-Watan that “the Israeli escalation is aimed at pressuring Lebanon ahead of the visit to Lebanon by Deputy U.S. Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus, with the aim of achieving certain goals.”

The sources added that “communication is ongoing between the president, the speaker and the prime minister to coordinate stances prior to the visit.”