President Aoun Meets Rubio to Discuss Tri-Framework and Israeli Withdrawal

President Joseph Aoun emphasized during his meeting this morning in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio the importance of aligning Lebanon’s stance with that of the United States regarding the implementation of the tri-framework agreed upon in the Washington negotiations. This includes achieving an initial step involving the Israeli withdrawal from the first model area. Secretary Rubio underscored his country’s support for the measures and directions taken by President Aoun, highlighting Lebanon’s regional role and the necessity of reviving it through two key conditions: economic prosperity and the full sovereignty of the Lebanese state over its entire territory.

President Aoun arrived at the U.S. State Department at 9:30 a.m. Washington time (4:30 p.m. Beirut time) today, Sunday, where he held a one-and-a-half-hour meeting with Secretary Rubio. The meeting occurred as Rubio cut short a foreign trip to return to Washington for this engagement before traveling to the Philippines, which means he will not attend the upcoming summit between Presidents Aoun and Donald Trump scheduled for next Tuesday.

At the start of the meeting, President Aoun thanked Secretary Rubio for his role in the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations held in Washington, which began last December and culminated in the tri-framework agreement. He also expressed gratitude to the U.S. administration for its efforts to reach this outcome. President Aoun stressed the necessity for Lebanon’s position to align with the U.S. stance on implementing the tri-framework by taking the initial step of Israeli forces withdrawing from the first model area. Additionally, he requested that Secretary Rubio enhance U.S. support for the Lebanese army and security institutions and take all necessary measures to solidify American interest in Lebanon’s economic and investment sectors, particularly energy, telecommunications, and transportation.

Secretary Rubio affirmed during the meeting his country’s support for President Aoun and the steps he has taken toward restoring the state’s sovereignty over all Lebanese territory. He emphasized the importance of applying the tri-framework agreed upon in the Washington negotiations. Rubio also highlighted Lebanon’s role in the region and the need to revive it by fulfilling two essential conditions: economic prosperity and the extension of Lebanese state sovereignty across the entire country.

Rubio pledged to practically explore the ideas and initiatives proposed by President Aoun concerning economic and investment cooperation in energy, telecommunications, transportation, and reconstruction. This would be pursued through organizing implementation conferences. Regarding the tri-framework, the U.S. Secretary of State affirmed that Lebanon cannot be subordinate to any other negotiation track and that Lebanese sovereignty can only be established through decisions issued by Lebanese constitutional institutions.

The discussion also touched upon Lebanese-Syrian relations, with President Aoun confirming ongoing coordination between the two countries based on mutual respect for each state’s sovereignty and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Aoun wrote in the U.S. State Department’s golden book:

"An important visit to the U.S. State Department under the leadership of Secretary Rubio, where exceptional work led to the signing of the tri-framework aimed at ending the conflict between Lebanon and Israel. Through his commitment and persistence, I am confident that the desired goal will be achieved.

On behalf of the Lebanese people, I extend my thanks to Secretary Rubio."