The State Department said Sunday evening that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed the implementation of the trilateral framework agreement during their meeting in Washington. Rubio reaffirmed US support for the Lebanese government's efforts to achieve peace, economic recovery, restore sovereignty, and disarm Hezbollah.
The State Department issued a statement at 20:35 Jerusalem time on Sunday evening, providing the first official readout of the meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The statement confirmed that the two leaders discussed the implementation of the trilateral framework agreement, with Rubio reaffirming US support for the Lebanese government's efforts to disarm Hezbollah and restore state sovereignty. The meeting itself was reported by The Zioneer at 19:13 Jerusalem.
The meeting capped a series of developments that began on Saturday, when The Zioneer reported that President Aoun had departed for Washington for the first visit by a Lebanese head of state to the US since 2009. On Saturday, the Lebanese presidency announced the trip, and subsequent reports confirmed Aoun's arrival and schedule. Earlier on Sunday, The Zioneer reported that Aoun had arrived at the State Department for the meeting. The State Department statement now provides the official US account of the discussions, following earlier reports from Israeli media and the Lebanese presidency.
The trilateral framework agreement, signed in Washington on June 27, was described by Rubio as "the beginning of the beginning" after five rounds of talks. The Zioneer has reported extensively on the deal, including Rubio's view that it could bypass the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, and on President Trump's call to Aoun pledging US support for implementation. The agreement aims to secure a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah disarmament.
The State Department statement did not provide a timeline for the implementation of the framework, nor did it specify how the disarmament of Hezbollah would be achieved. The Lebanese government's ability to enforce the deal, particularly in areas where Hezbollah holds sway, remains an open question.
7 developments
- DevelopingRubio, Lebanese President Aoun discuss Hezbollah disarmament and ceasefire with Israel
- StrongUS Secretary of State Rubio says US will help Lebanon 'take control' of territory to counter Hezbollah
- DevelopingRubio spoke to Netanyahu and Lebanon's Aoun overnight to resolve final differences
- StrongUS State Department endorses Netanyahu's stance: withdrawal from Lebanon conditioned on Hezbollah disarmament
Source and signal
- Internal intake