US Backs Lebanon-Israel Talks, Pledges Support for Sovereignty
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated his strong endorsement of the trilateral framework as the sole path to peace with Israel during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Blinken also asserted U.S. solidarity with a sovereign Lebanon free from the influence of Hezbollah and Iran.
The meeting, which took place at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., focused on developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as the process of restoring full Lebanese sovereignty. Prime Minister Mikati indicated that Lebanon seeks a renewed partnership with the United States that aligns with the country’s reconstruction plans and the strengthening of its legal institutions.
Mikati underscored the necessity of activating the trilateral framework, asserting that this step should lead to the full withdrawal of the Israeli regime from Lebanese territories, the exclusive control of weapons by the Beirut government throughout the country, and the restoration of Lebanon’s complete sovereignty. He emphasized the importance of establishing a clear timeline for the framework’s commitments to ensure the progress of Israeli withdrawal and the government’s assertion of authority and weapon monopoly.
Furthermore, Mikati called for a reliable mechanism to verify and monitor the agreement’s implementation, ensuring adherence to commitments and preventing the cessation of the process due to non-compliance. He highlighted that the trilateral framework extends beyond security arrangements to include support for Beirut’s efforts in relief, improving conditions, reconstruction of infrastructure and essential services, and facilitating the return and stabilization of displaced individuals in their regions.
The Lebanese Prime Minister stressed the significance of securing support from the U.S. and the international community for the recovery and improvement process, particularly in war-affected areas. Mikati concluded by stating the critical importance of continued U.S. support for the Lebanese army and enhancing its capabilities, enabling the army to assume its responsibilities and enforce government sovereignty across all of Lebanon.
