Truce with Israeli likely within days: Lebanese PM

KABUL (Pajhwok): Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister is hopeful of a ceasefire with Israel within days, reports Al Jazeera.

Najib Mikati voiced his optimism as Israeli media published a draft ceasefire agreement providing for a two-month cessation of fighting.

The Lebanese premier said optimism about the possibility of a truce had surged after speaking on Wednesday with US envoy for the Middle East, Amos Hochstein.

With the American diplomat due in Israel today (Thursday), Mikati said in an interview: “Hochstein suggested we could reach an agreement before the end of the month and before November 5.”

Speaking to Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television, the Lebanese premier remarked: “We should remain optimistic that in the coming hours or days, we will have a ceasefire.”

Separately, Israeli public broadcaster Kan released a leaked US-written proposal, under which Tel Aviv would pull out its forces from Lebanon in the first week of a proposed 60-day truce.

The premier believed: “The situation may change for the better soon, thanks to mediators’ efforts. We hope to achieve a ceasefire agreement in the coming hours or days.”

PAN Monitor/mud

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