Saudi Arabia is reportedly slowing down ally Donald Trump's grand plan to normalise ties between the Arab world and Israel. According to a new report, Riyadh is pushing Lebanon to adopt a unified stance on any negotiations with Israel, but only within the framework of broader Arab consensus. This includes the long-standing Arab Peace Initiative, a deal that ties normalisation to key conditions, including Palestinian statehood.
Trump's Call for Lebanon
Trump called for Lebanon to abolish laws against engagement with Israel while announcing that the two countries have agreed to extend an initial 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White House on Thursday. This move comes as part of Trump's broader efforts to normalise relations in the region.
Arab Peace Initiative Conditions
The Arab Peace Initiative, first proposed in 2002, offers Israel normalisation with Arab states in exchange for a full withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967, a just solution for Palestinian refugees, and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Saudi Arabia's insistence on this framework indicates a cautious approach, prioritising Arab unity over rapid normalisation.
This development highlights the complexities of Middle East diplomacy. While Trump has pursued a policy of normalisation, Saudi Arabia's stance suggests that progress may not come as quickly as anticipated. The extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah provides a temporary respite, but broader negotiations remain contingent on addressing Palestinian statehood and other core issues.
