Lebanese president, Rubio discuss ceasefire framework in Washington

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the start of his official visit to Washington, according to a US State Department readout.

The meeting, held at the State Department, discussed the US-Israel-Lebanon Trilateral Framework, the readout said.

Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the “successful implementation of the Trilateral Framework” and to supporting Lebanon’s “efforts to deliver peace, economic recovery, and a better future for the Lebanese people.”

A Lebanese presidency statement said Aoun stressed during his meeting with Rubio “the need to align the Lebanese and US positions on implementing the Trilateral Framework between Lebanon, Israel and the US by securing the first Israeli withdrawal from the first pilot area.”

Aoun called for stronger US support for the Lebanese army and other military institutions, as well as steps to increase US economic engagement and investment in Lebanon, particularly in the energy, telecommunications and transportation sectors.

Ongoing border conflicts

According to the statement, Rubio voiced support for Aoun’s positions and the measures he had taken to “restore Lebanon’s sovereignty over its entire territory, implement the Trilateral Framework and revive Lebanon’s role by restoring economic prosperity and extending state authority throughout the country.”

“Lebanon cannot be tied to any other negotiating track,” Rubio said, apparently referring to talks between Washington and Tehran.