Hezbollah rejects Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington as Rubio joins

Hezbollah has rejected negotiations, calling them “futile” and urging Lebanon to confront Israeli attacks as Israeli and Lebanese officials are set to hold rare direct talks in Washington.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to join the discussions, according to the State Department.

Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter are scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. local time (15:00 GMT), with talks focusing on a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, the disarmament of Hezbollah and a broader peace arrangement.