US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed the implementation of the trilateral framework agreement between the US, Lebanon, and Israel during Aoun’s visit to Washington on Sunday.
Rubio stated that during his meeting with Aoun, he commended the Lebanese government’s efforts to reclaim their country and advance towards peace.
Rubio also reaffirmed the US’s commitment to supporting Lebanon in implementing the terms of the trilateral framework and to the government's efforts to secure a better future for the Lebanese people.
US State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott noted that Rubio and Aoun also discussed the Lebanese government’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah and dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure.
Aoun, according to a statement released by his office on X/Twitter, emphasized to Rubio the necessity for Lebanon and the US to remain in alignment regarding the implementation of the framework, specifically regarding the withdrawal of Israeli troops from designated pilot zones in southern Lebanon.
He also highlighted the importance of US support in strengthening the Lebanese military and investment in improving Lebanese energy, communications, and transportation infrastructure.
According to Aoun’s office, Rubio asserted that full Lebanese sovereignty “can only be achieved by a Lebanese decision issued by the Lebanese constitutional institutions.
Rubio-Aoun meeting follows Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome
On Wednesday, Lebanese and Israeli officials met in Rome for US-brokered talks regarding the framework and the dismantling of Hezbollah.
Following the Rome talks, a US official said negotiators had made progress in implementing elements of the framework outlining the withdrawal of IDF troops from Lebanon.