Pakistan, Lebanon army chiefs meet as Middle East mediation drags on

Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir hosted Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal in Rawalpindi on Tuesday to deepen military ties amid ongoing efforts to mediate the Middle East conflict. The visit, confirmed by a Lebanon-based source, aimed to align both nations’ security strategies as peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran stall. Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has pushed for Lebanon’s involvement in talks, given Israel’s ongoing clashes with Iran-backed Hezbollah in the country. The meeting focused on regional security, defense cooperation, and expanding bilateral military relations, according to a Pakistani military statement. Haykal received a guard of honor before discussions, underscoring the diplomatic weight of the visit. Despite the talks, fighting intensified during Haykal’s stay, though Iran and Israel both signaled temporary pauses in hostilities on Monday. The conflict escalated in March when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel after a U.S.-Israeli operation killed Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion, resulting in nearly 3,600 deaths. A ceasefire agreement on April 17 failed to halt violence, as Israel imposed a ‘Yellow Line’ in Lebanon—12 kilometers from its border—where ground troops continue engaging Hezbollah. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif previously stated a U.S.-Iran deal was near completion before recent fighting disrupted progress. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that negotiators were in the ‘final throes’ of reaching an agreement, though no formal resolution has been announced. The stalled talks highlight the complexity of ending the war, with Lebanon’s role remaining a key sticking point.