Lebanon PM urges Rubio to activate tripartite framework for Israeli withdrawal

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has called for the activation of a Lebanon-US-Israel tripartite framework to secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.Salam made the call during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday.The discussions covered bilateral issues and developments in Lebanon and the wider region, Salam said in a statement on X.“I stressed the need to move towards activating the tripartite framework and translating the principles of reciprocity and a phased approach into practical steps and tangible results on the ground,” he said.“This should lead to Lebanon regaining full sovereignty, achieving a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and ensuring that the state holds exclusive control over arms across the entire country,” Salam added.He called for a clear timetable to implement commitments under the US-brokered framework signed between Beirut and Tel Aviv in June, as well as a “credible mechanism” to monitor implementation and prevent violations from derailing the process.Framework covers recovery and reconstructionSalam said the framework also covers relief, recovery, reconstruction and the return of displaced people.He called for US and international support for Lebanon’s recovery, particularly in areas affected by the conflict, and urged Washington to continue supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces.Rubio reaffirmed US support for Lebanon and its institutions and called for implementation of the framework to promote stability and security, according to the statement.Beirut and Tel Aviv signed the US-sponsored framework on June 26.

It provides for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas vacated by Israeli forces.Despite the agreement, Israel has continued attacks on Lebanon.The attacks have killed at least 4,386 people, wounded 12,407 and displaced more than one million since March 2, the authorities said.