(AFP) – Diplomats from several countries were meeting Saturday at a Swiss retreat in a bid to maintain dialogue on the preliminary US-Iran deal to halt the Middle East war, said Bern. The Swiss foreign ministry stated that diplomats were in discussions at the luxury Burgenstock resort near Lucerne in central Switzerland, without providing further details. A diplomatic source informed AFP that the discussions underway on Saturday were preparatory in nature.
Senior-level talks at the hotel complex were initially planned for Friday but were called off, with the process shrouded in layers of uncertainty, as Israel carried out deadly strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday. Swiss public broadcaster RTS reported that technical delegations from the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, were present at the discussions.
“Switzerland continues to provide a discreet and reliable setting to facilitate talks at Burgenstock on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran,” the foreign ministry said in a brief statement. “Diplomats from various countries currently present are continuing their efforts to maintain the dialogue.” The statement concluded, “No further information can be provided regarding those present or the discussions.”
In the meantime, Israel carried out deadly strikes in south Lebanon on Saturday, and Hezbollah maintained its right to respond, just hours after the United States announced a renewed ceasefire in fighting that had strained the fledgling deal with Iran. US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian signed a preliminary agreement this week to halt the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, follow-up talks scheduled for Friday at the Burgenstock were indefinitely postponed due to the renewed fighting in Lebanon.
Katara Hospitality, owned by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, took over the Burgenstock complex in 2007. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis mentioned late Friday that he had met earlier that day with Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the resort. The two exchanged views on recent regional developments following the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.
Cassis noted on X, “As countries that place great importance on mediation, dialogue, and good offices, Switzerland and Qatar share a strong commitment to supporting diplomatic solutions to international challenges.” He thanked Qatar for its important mediation efforts and reaffirmed Switzerland’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at de-escalation, stability, and lasting peace.
© 2024 AFP
