Secretary Rubio’s Call with Lebanese President Aoun

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The Secretary commended President Aoun’s courage in pursuing a historic opportunity for Lebanese sovereignty and recovery. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ full support for the Government of Lebanon’s efforts to create a fully sovereign Lebanese state that is at peace with all its neighbors. Secretary Rubio underscored that 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 Hizballah and to re-establish control over all Lebanese territory. They also discussed the need to coordinate with regional allies to advance these aims.