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Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US, Rubio says
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, announced a framework agreement aimed at initiating peace talks between Israel and Lebanon following recent conflicts involving Hezbollah.
- The agreement, signed in Washington, does not include Hezbollah and envisions Lebanese forces eventually regaining control of territory from Israel, contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament.
- Hezbollah rejected Lebanon's direct negotiations with Israel, warning that enforcing the agreement could lead to civil war, and criticized the deal as undermining ongoing U.S.-Iran talks.
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun praised the agreement as a first step toward restoring Lebanese sovereignty and enabling displaced citizens to return home under full state control.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized maintaining a security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, while both sides discussed "pilot zones" for Lebanese army control as Israeli forces withdraw.
