Aoun to Rubio: A Comprehensive Ceasefire is a Fundamental Pillar for Advancing Negotiations with Israel

SadaNews - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the phone on Friday evening, discussing the current situations in Lebanon and the region in light of recent developments.

Aoun stressed the "necessity of stopping Israeli attacks on Lebanese territories by achieving a comprehensive ceasefire, which Lebanon considers a fundamental pillar for the advancement of Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations scheduled in Washington next week, in order to achieve the goals and principles from which these negotiations started, to restore Lebanon's security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."

During the call, Rubio affirmed the "United States' support for Lebanon and its efforts to achieve security and stability, to extend the authority of the state over all its territories, and to support its legitimate, security, and military institutions, led by the Army."

Rubio also emphasized to Aoun the "necessity of disarming Hezbollah and restoring the Lebanese state's control over all territories," according to the U.S. State Department.

It was also reported that Rubio and Aoun discussed the upcoming round of negotiations scheduled to be held in Washington between June 23-25.

Sources told the "New Arab" website that the call was also aimed at following up on the Lebanese President's upcoming visit to the United States.

In a related context, Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yair Lapid stated that Tel Aviv is ready to commit to a ceasefire in Lebanon if Hezbollah respects it, writing on the "X" platform: "Israel remains committed to an immediate ceasefire... If Hezbollah respects the agreement and stops its hostile actions, they will be met with calm from the Israeli side."

The conversation between Aoun and Rubio follows an Israeli escalation on Friday that resulted in the martyrdom of at least 47 people, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, just hours after the Israeli army announced the killing of four of its soldiers due to an explosion targeting them. An American official reported on Friday afternoon that both parties agreed to a new ceasefire.