India, April 23 -- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on Lebanon to work with Israel to disarm the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah ahead of negotiations in Washington on Thursday.

The meeting follows a similar gathering last week in Washington, and is the first time in decades the two countries are speaking directly.  "We don't have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. There are a few minor border disputes that can be solved," Saar said during Independence Day remarks to Israel's diplomatic corps. "The obstacle to peace and normalisation between the countries is one: Hezbollah," he said, adding that Lebanon could have "a future of sovereignty, independence and freedom from the Iranian occupation". Israel's milita...