US hails Lebanon's 'step toward peace' after meeting with President Aoun

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended Lebanon for its "step toward peace" following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington. The discussion centered on a framework agreement, developed on June 26 in Washington, intended to end the state of war between Lebanon and Israel.

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a saluted the courage of the Lebanese government, under the leadership of President Aoun, for its determined efforts to re-establish Lebanese sovereignty, to disarm Hezbollah and to dismantle its terrorist infrastructure

Rubio lauded the Lebanese government, under President Aoun's leadership, for its "determined efforts to re-establish Lebanese sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah, and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure." He congratulated Lebanon on its "step toward peace" and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the "trilateral framework agreement."

President Aoun emphasized the need for alignment between Lebanese and American positions regarding the agreement's implementation, particularly concerning Israel's withdrawal from specified zones. He also stressed the importance of strengthening U.S. support for the Lebanese army and institutions, as well as institutionalizing American economic and investment interests in Lebanon, focusing on energy, communications, and transportation.

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necessity of an alignment of Lebanese and American positions concerning the implementation of the framework agreement through the obtention of the first Israeli withdrawal from the first pilot zone

This high-level meeting follows recent negotiations between Lebanon and Israel concerning the withdrawal from southern Lebanese territories occupied since Israel's last war with Hezbollah. President Aoun's visit to Washington, the first by a Lebanese president since 2009, includes meetings with various U.S. officials to discuss the situation in Lebanon, consolidating the ceasefire, and Israel's withdrawal from occupied Lebanese regions.

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necessity of strengthening American support for the Lebanese army and military institutions and to institutionalize American interests in Lebanon in economic and investment matters (energy, communications, transport, in particular)