Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will begin negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible.”

“In light of Lebanon’s repeated calls to begin direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to start direct talks with Lebanon as soon as possible,” Netanyahu said.

The talks “will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.”

Netanyahu also said that Israel “appreciates the call made today by the Lebanese prime minister for the demilitarization of Beirut.”