NNA - During his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Joseph Aoun stressed the need for Lebanon’s position to align with Washington’s regarding the implementation of the trilateral framework agreement by achieving the first Israeli withdrawal from the initial pilot area.

President Aoun also called for strengthening the United States support for the Lebanese Army and security institutions, and taking steps to reinforce American engagement with Lebanon in economic and investment sectors, particularly energy, telecommunications, and transportation.

In turn, State Secretary Rubio said Washington supports President Joseph Aoun’s positions and the steps he has taken to restore the Lebanese state’s sovereignty over all its territory. Rubio also expressed support for implementing the trilateral framework agreement, reviving Lebanon’s role, restoring economic prosperity, and ensuring the state’s authority is extended across the country.

"Lebanon cannot be tied to any other negotiating track, and Lebanese sovereignty can only be achieved through a Lebanese decision issued by the Lebanese constitutional institutions," Rubio underlined.

He also highlighted Lebanon's role in the region and the necessity of reviving this role by achieving two basic conditions: the first is economic prosperity and the second being the extension of the Lebanese state's sovereignty over its entire territory.

Secretary Rubio pledged to work on translating President Aoun’s proposals into practical steps for economic and investment cooperation in the fields of energy, telecommunications, transportation, and reconstruction, through implementation conferences.

Discussions also addressed Lebanese-Syrian relations, with President Aoun stressing that coordination between the two countries is ongoing within a framework of mutual respect for each state’s sovereignty and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

At the end of the meeting, President Aoun signed the US State Department’s guest book, describing his visit as important, and praising State Secretary Rubio’s efforts that led to the signing of the trilateral framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict between Lebanon and Israel. Aoun expressed confidence that Rubio’s commitment and determination would help achieve the desired goal, and thanked him on behalf of the Lebanese people.