2026-06-24T19:09:20+00:00
Shafaq News- Kuwait
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed on Wednesday to
support a new political and security track in Lebanon aimed at strengthening
the Lebanese government’s authority across its territory and extending state
control without external interference.
Speaking to reporters in Kuwait during a Gulf tour, Rubio
expressed hope that the new round of talks between Lebanon and Israel, held in Washington,
would succeed.
He said any arrangements in southern Lebanon, including “model
areas,” would require time to implement and would depend on strengthening the
capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces. Rubio added that Israel’s “presence” in Lebanon is linked to
attacks carried out by Hezbollah, adding that Washington would continue efforts
to support stability and prevent escalation.
Axios reported that the first day of the latest round of
Lebanon-Israel talks ended without progress and, according to two sources
familiar with the discussions, saw setbacks on some issues. One of the sources told the outlet that parts of the
negotiations became particularly tense and described some exchanges as “ugly.”
Israeli officials acknowledged disagreements but said the overall atmosphere
remained cordial.
According to the report, representatives of the Lebanese and
Israeli militaries presented opposing and hardline positions regarding the
scope of a potential Israeli withdrawal and the areas from which such a
withdrawal would begin.
The latest round of talks comes as mediators seek to secure
broader security arrangements along the Lebanon-Israel border, where
disagreements over military deployments and withdrawal terms remain unresolved.
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