US State Department: This Is What We Expect from the Lebanese Army

MTV's correspondent in Washington asked the US State Department about the practical steps Minister Marco Rubio is working on to advance Lebanese-Israeli negotiations, upcoming diplomatic and implementation milestones, against the backdrop of his refusal to negotiate with Iran regarding Lebanon.

The inquiry sought clarification on whether Washington is seeking commitments to de-escalate tensions and push for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, independent of any agreement with Iran, and what reciprocal steps are required from each party.

The question also addressed the role the administration envisions for direct communication between the Lebanese and Israeli armies, alongside the verification mechanism mentioned by Rubio, how this mechanism will monitor both parties' compliance and resolve disputes, particularly regarding whether Lebanese measures meet the conditions for Israeli withdrawal.

The fundamental question was: Can this separate negotiation track achieve tangible security improvements for Lebanon while US-Iran negotiations remain unresolved?

The response, delivered by the US State Department spokesperson to MTV, was as follows:

"The Tripartite Framework provides a clear path to ensure Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and establish peaceful neighborly relations between the two countries. Both parties have committed to these objectives. We continue to expect the Lebanese Army to proceed with verified measures to disarm Hezbollah and dismantle its infrastructure, starting with pilot areas and extending nationwide, and that the Israeli Army reciprocates with similar steps.

Lebanon's political, economic, and security challenges share one common factor: the continued presence of an Iranian-backed terrorist militia that has used Lebanese territory to attack Israel, threaten and kill public figures, and prevent the Lebanese Army from monopolizing the use of force. By their own admission, Iran and its proxy Hezbollah created the conditions that led to Israeli operations by igniting the last two wars.

Lebanon still faces a choice between living under the influence of an Iranian proxy and taking steps it previously agreed to in order to reclaim control of its future.

The United States has always been the leading supporter of the Lebanese Army. Since 2006, we have provided over three billion dollars in security assistance, including $190 million to the Lebanese Army last year. We anticipate providing additional aid as the Lebanese Army demonstrates measurable progress in fulfilling the commitments Lebanon made under the Tripartite Framework."