Official Lebanese source to ynet: "This is the last chance for peace, don't play into Hezbollah's hands"

A senior official Lebanese source warns in an exclusive interview with ynet that this is the last chance for peace, and calls on Israel not to play into Hezbollah's hands. The source emphasizes that Hezbollah wants to sabotage the agreement, and that the IDF is the only one that can do the job, but Israel must ensure there is no occupation, avoid attacking Beirut, and stop statements by extremist ministers about settlements in Lebanon. He admitted that the pilot for clearing weapons was not a great success.

A senior official Lebanese source, who also spoke on behalf of other senior officials in Lebanon, said in an exclusive interview with ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth on the sidelines of the MEAD conference in Washington that this is the last chance for peace between Israel and Lebanon. The source stressed that Hezbollah wants to sabotage the emerging agreement by firing drones at IDF forces, in order to provoke a disproportionate Israeli response that would blow up the process. According to him, the IDF is the only one that can do the job against Hezbollah, but Israel must ensure there is no Israeli occupation in Lebanon, avoid attacking Beirut, and stop statements by extremist ministers about establishing settlements in Lebanon. The source admitted that the pilot for clearing weapons and infrastructure in three villages was not a great success, because the Lebanese army is still too weak to confront Hezbollah. He expressed concern that Hezbollah would assassinate President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, but praised their courage. The source called on Israel to give Lebanon a chance, not to overreact, and to declare that when Hezbollah is disarmed, Israel will withdraw completely. According to him, there is a consensus among all communities in Lebanon, except for most Shiites, who want peace with Israel.