US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington on Sunday to discuss the ongoing peace negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. This marks the first visit by a Lebanese head of state to Washington since 2009. The discussions focused on the situation in Lebanon, strengthening the ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israel from Lebanese territories it occupies.
Background and Context
Israel and Lebanon, which do not have formal diplomatic relations, began US-sponsored negotiations in April aimed at reaching a peace deal and permanently ending the Israel-Hezbollah war. On June 26, they reached a framework agreement in Washington under which the Israeli military is to withdraw from southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army is to deploy, starting with two 'pilot zones.' This agreement is contingent on the disarmament of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which has rejected both the deal and the negotiations. Following the latest round of talks in Rome, Israel and Lebanon agreed on the structure and guidelines for implementing the pilot zones.
