Lebanon, 'Israel' hold first direct talks in decades: source to AFP
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Lebanese and 'Israeli' civilian representatives were holding their first direct talks on Wednesday in decades, part of a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the war with Hezbollah, a source close to the talks told AFP.
The meeting was "underway" the source said.
It was being held at the UN peacekeeping force's headquarters in Naqura in Lebanon, near the border with 'Israel', the source added.
Morgan Ortagus, the US special representative for Lebanon, was present at the talks, the source said.
Earlier on Wednesday, 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would send a representative to Lebanon to meet with government and economic officials.
The same day, the Lebanese government said it had placed a civilian at the head of its delegation to the monitoring mechanism, at the request of the United States.
Until now, it had only sent military officials who had avoided direct contact with the 'Israeli' delegation, a diplomatic source who requested anonymity said.
Lebanon does not recognise 'Israel', though the United States has been pushing for direct talks between the two neighbours.
Despite the ceasefire, 'Israel' has continued to launch strikes in Lebanon it mostly claims are targeting Hezbollah.
