BEIRUT, June 20 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday reaffirmed Washington’s support for Lebanon’s security, stability, and efforts to extend the authority of the state across all its territories during a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
According to a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency on X, the conversation focused on the situation in Lebanon and broader regional developments in West Asia.
Rubio underscored the United States’ commitment to supporting Lebanon and its legitimate institutions, including its security and military establishments.
“Secretary Rubio affirmed the United States’ support for Lebanon and its commitment to achieving security and stability there, extending the state’s authority over all its territories, and supporting its legitimate institutions, including security and military ones, foremost among them the army,” the statement said.
President Aoun expressed appreciation for US support and stressed the need to halt Israeli military actions in Lebanon through a comprehensive ceasefire.
He said achieving a ceasefire is essential for advancing planned Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations scheduled to take place in Washington next week.
According to the statement, Aoun described a comprehensive ceasefire as a “fundamental pillar” for the talks, which aim to meet objectives including restoring Lebanon’s security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
“President Aoun thanked the US Secretary for his country’s support of Lebanon, emphasizing the necessity of halting Israeli aggressions on Lebanese territories through the achievement of a comprehensive ceasefire, which Lebanon considers a fundamental pillar for advancing the scheduled Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations in Washington next week,” the statement added.
The call comes amid ongoing regional tensions and diplomatic efforts to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon border and advance dialogue among the parties involved.
The development follows reports of a renewed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah aimed at de-escalating hostilities in the region, according to CNN. (ANI)
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