In a joint statement following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Gulf states declared that Lebanese sovereignty requires the disarmament of non-state armed groups, and that reconstruction of the Gaza Strip is conditional on disarming non-state armed organizations there, according to Abu Ali Express.
The joint statement issued Thursday evening by Gulf foreign ministers and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio marks the first time the Gulf Cooperation Council states have collectively linked post-war reconstruction in Gaza and Lebanon to the disarmament of non-state armed groups — effectively targeting Hezbollah and Hamas.
Section 6 of the statement asserts that 'full Lebanese sovereignty over Lebanese land cannot be realized as long as non-state armed organizations do not disarm,' a clear reference to Hezbollah. Section 7 conditions Gaza reconstruction on the disarmament of non-state armed groups in the Strip — referring to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad — and adds that no one will be forced to leave Gaza, while voluntary departees may return.
The statement also reaffirms Gulf support for the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding, while conditioning all trade and investment with Iran on its compliance with the framework and a final agreement. On the Israel-Lebanon negotiations under U.S. auspices, the Gulf states welcomed the talks and committed to Lebanon's territorial integrity.
The declaration follows a similar set of demands by Rubio earlier Thursday, when he characterized the Iran-U.S. MoU as a framework document rather than a comprehensive deal, as The Zioneer reported. The Gulf position now aligns with Washington's insistence that any regional settlement must address Iran's proxies, not just its nuclear program.
3 developments
- DevelopingGulf foreign ministers meet Rubio in Bahrain for reassurances on Iran deal
- StrongGulf foreign ministers demand Iran's missiles and proxies addressed for 'lasting' peace
- StrongSecretary of State Rubio discusses Iran deal and Strait of Hormuz with UAE leadership
- DevelopingRubio, Lebanese President Aoun discuss Hezbollah disarmament and ceasefire with Israel
Source and signal
- Internal intake