Naim Kassem made the remarks in a televised address on the eve of the scheduled meeting between Lebanon and Israel's ambassadors to the U.S., as both sides set a framework for negotiations.
As usual, Israel was forced to respond after Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon began firing rockets into northern Israel on March 2, after the U.S. and Israel attacked the terrorist group's patron, Iran.
As is often the case, the terrorists fire those missiles from populated areas, forcing Israel to respond which often means loss of civilian life.
The Lebanese government, which says is committed to disarming Hezbollah, called for direct talks early on in the war, but to no avail. Last week, Israel announced their approval of talks, but both sides don't appear to be on the same page.
Lebanon hopes for a ceasefire as a prerequisite, similar to Iran and U.S. talks brokered by Pakistan. However, Israel has framed the talks as peace negotiations with Hezbollah's disarmament as a priority item, with no mention of a ceasefire or a withdrawal of its forces from southern Lebanon.
Fierce fighting rocked the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Monday, as Israeli troops appeared to encircle the area while Hezbollah terrorists launched rockets and artillery.
