Issa says Lebanon must talk to Israel even if it doesn't cease fire

After visiting Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa affirmed that "the United States is concerned with peace prevailing in Lebanon and for it to be independent and free from war."

"I personally am doing everything I can to achieve this goal. I share almost the same concern as Patriarch al-Rahi: we want to stop the war in Lebanon, and we ask all parties here to make the decision that will contribute to ending the war," Issa said.

He added: "We appreciate President Joseph Aoun's decision to agree to meet with the Israeli side to resolve the crisis."

"I believe the Israelis have decided they will not stop their attacks on Lebanon, so Lebanon must decide whether it can meet with the Israeli side while the attacks continue," Issa said, adding that in his opinion "peace between Lebanon and Israel cannot be achieved without meetings."

"So I encourage the Lebanese side to consider the necessity of meeting with the Israeli side to reach a solution," he urged.

Issa also emphasized that "the Lebanese Army must do what is required of it, and this is what we expect," noting that "we have asked the Lebanese Army to remain in the southern Christian villages to protect them, and so far, things are going well."