Lebanese president meets Rubio at start of Washington visit, to see Trump Tuesday

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday at the start of his official visit to Washington, according to a State Department readout. The meeting, held at the State Department, focused on the US-Israel-Lebanon Trilateral Framework, with Rubio reaffirming Washington's commitment to its "successful implementation" and to supporting Lebanon's efforts toward peace and economic recovery.

Lebanon's Priorities

A Lebanese presidency statement said Aoun stressed the need to align positions on implementing the framework, particularly securing the first Israeli withdrawal from a pilot area. He also called for stronger US support for the Lebanese army and increased US investment in Lebanon's energy, telecommunications and transportation sectors. Rubio expressed support for Aoun's efforts to "restore Lebanon's sovereignty over its entire territory" and extend state authority.

Separate Tracks and Upcoming Meeting

Rubio said Lebanon's sovereignty "cannot be tied to any other negotiating track," apparently referring to US-Iran talks. Aoun arrived in Washington on Saturday for a four-day visit and is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. The talks come amid continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon, despite a US-sponsored framework agreement signed on June 26.