US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirming Washington’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, economic recovery, and efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Rubio praised Aoun’s leadership in pursuing what he described as a “historic opportunity to strengthen Lebanese sovereignty and rebuild the country.”
He reiterated the United States’ backing for the Lebanese government’s efforts to “establish full state authority and maintain peaceful relations with neighboring countries.”
Secretary Rubio underscored “Lebanon’s bilateral negotiations with Israel represent the only feasible path to reconstruction, economic recovery, and ending recurrent cycles of violence.”
They discussed the next round of negotiations, scheduled for June 23–25 in Washington, where the two sovereign governments will make progress toward a lasting peace.
Secretary Rubio reiterated the need to “disarm Hezbollah and to re-establish control over all Lebanese territory.” They also discussed the need to coordinate with regional allies to advance these aims.
The call comes as diplomatic efforts intensify to address security challenges and support Lebanon’s political and economic recovery following years of instability.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun tells Rubio in a call that a comprehensive ceasefire must be secured in order for talks with Israel to progress.
The Lebanese presidency said Aoun thanked Rubio for US support but stressed “the need for Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory to cease through the achievement of a comprehensive ceasefire, which Lebanon considers a fundamental basis for advancing the Lebanese-US-Israeli negotiations scheduled to take place in Washington next week.”
