The State Department held a trilateral meeting Tuesday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon, marking the first high-level engagement between the two countries since 1993 and focusing on steps toward direct negotiations.
The United States said it supports continued talks, Lebanon’s efforts to strengthen state authority, and Israel’s right to respond to Hezbollah attacks, while stressing any ceasefire must be reached directly between Israel and Lebanon with U.S. involvement.
Israel backed efforts to dismantle armed groups in Lebanon and said it is ready for direct talks. Lebanon called for implementing the November 2024 ceasefire understanding and addressing the humanitarian situation.
Both sides agreed to move forward with direct negotiations at a time and place to be determined.
Read the State Department Press Release
