US Warns Against 'Rushing' Implementation of Israel-Lebanon Framework Agreement

The US ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Aoun, warned against "rushing" the implementation of the framework agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon on June 26, stressing that immediate priority should be given to technical fieldwork.

These remarks came ahead of the start of the seventh round of direct negotiations between the two sides in the Italian capital Rome, where he clarified that talks remain ongoing, expressing hope that they will yield positive efforts and lead both governments to tangible results.

The US ambassador emphasized that ensuring civilian safety on the ground requires completing a significant amount of arrangements and technical work before moving forward with next steps.

He underscored there is a "critical difference between drafting an agreement on paper and implementing it responsibly," warning that "rushing forward could endanger civilians, who are the very people this operation aims to protect."

He explained that the US believes "allocating sufficient time to properly complete this work from the outset is the best option," noting that this would "help enable subsequent pilot areas to launch more efficiently."

He stressed that the priority should be reaching a clear, implementable execution mechanism, stating: "Above all, the two sides must agree on a clear, practical mechanism before proceeding to the next phase."

The seventh round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, hosted by the United States, begins today in Rome, Italy, and will last for three days.