Hyderabad, April 9 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has instructed his Cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon, with a focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace relations between the two countries.

In a statement issued by his office on Thursday, April 9, Netanyahu said the move follows repeated requests from Lebanon to open direct talks with Israel and that negotiations should begin "as soon as possible". He added that discussions would centre on dismantling Hezbollah's military capabilities and advancing towards formalised relations.

Reacting to the development, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised the Israeli leader, linking the diplomatic push to his ongoing legal troubles. Writin...