Lebanese President Aoun Discusses Ceasefire Efforts with US Secretary of State Rubio

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a telephone call on Friday from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which they discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region as well as recent developments.

During the call, Aoun stressed the importance of exerting all possible efforts to reach a ceasefire, describing it as the essential prerequisite for any further steps and the necessary passage to create suitable conditions for addressing various outstanding issues and files.

In response, Rubio reaffirmed the commitment of the US administration to continue its efforts to consolidate the outcomes of previous Washington meetings. He also expressed support for Lebanon’s stability, independence, sovereignty over its entire territory, and its full, natural right to self-determination.

Earlier on the same day, a new round of direct Lebanese-Israeli military negotiations commenced under US sponsorship at the Pentagon.

According to Rania Abu Hassan, a correspondent for "An-Nahar" in Washington, a meeting took place the previous day between the Lebanese delegation and the US side at the US Department of Defense.

She added that the results of the current day's meeting will form the basis for subsequent steps, particularly concerning upcoming meetings at the level of the US State Department and the next phase of diplomatic engagement.

The American press has emphasized the importance of separating the political track from the security track, focusing on reinforcing the role of the Lebanese Army and restoring its position as a primary entity responsible for maintaining security stability and shaping the future security situation in Lebanon.