Lebanon's Hezbollah rejected negotiations, or signing of any treaty with Israel, following reports that Israeli officials are exploring the possibility of reaching a nonaggression pact with Lebanon, local Daily Star reported Wednesday.
Hezbollah MP Hassan Hoballah told the local newspaper that Lebanon refused to negotiate or sign any treaty with Israel, saying that "Lebanon has the right to liberate its occupied territories of Shebaa farms, Kafar shuba hills and Ghajar village, and to protect its sovereignty against Israeli aggressions."
Both Lebanon and Hezbollah sources denied having any information that Israeli officials were trying to reach a long- term belligerence pact with Lebanon, the daily said.
However, Hezbollah spokesman Hussien Rahal said earlier that his party has no comment on the Israeli report, and it would be studied.
On Monday, Israeli media said that Israeli foreign ministry officials are exploring a possible long term non-belligerence pact with Lebanon that could stop future hostilities between the two countries.
The prospective agreement, according to the report, would be bilateral and include a demarcation of Lebanese-Israeli border, as well as a decrease in Hezbollah arsenal with more Lebanese army deployment near south of the Litani River.
In return, Israel would stop violating Lebanese airspace and establish a security mechanism of coordination with the Lebanese army and UNIFIL, the report added.
However, Israeli head of foreign ministry's political planning section Eran Etzion said Monday that any deal with Lebanon would have to follow a comprehensive peace agreement with Syria.
Israel and Syria have been engaged since May in indirect talks, sponsored by Turkey.
Lebanon and Israel have never had any direct and formal relations. Prime Minister Fouad Seniora was quoted as saying that Lebanon will be the last Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel.
Israel occupied large parts of Lebanon for two decades, and withdrew in 2000, staying in some border villages and hills.
Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day fierce war in July 2006 which ended with a cease of hostility according to the UN resolution 1701.
In recent months, Israel and Hezbollah stepped up their verbal threats, including an Israeli threat that Lebanese infrastructure would be destroyed if Hezbollah prevail in the next elections or attack Israeli targets, while Hezbollah has repeated threats to revenge Israel by assassinations.