US Says Israel-Lebanon Talks to Proceed as Planned, Washington Meetings Set for June 23-25

The US State Department said the next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon will proceed as scheduled.

CBS News reported on June 19 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The US said after the call that delegations from the two countries will hold additional talks in Washington from June 23 to June 25.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said bilateral negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are the only viable path to reconstruction, economic recovery and an end to recurring violence.

The two governments will use the Washington meetings to seek progress toward a durable peace, he added.

Rubio also stressed during the call the need to disarm Hezbollah and restore government control over all Lebanese territory.

Israel and Hezbollah previously agreed to a ceasefire through mediation by the US and Middle Eastern countries. Hezbollah, however, did not participate in past negotiations between Lebanon and Israel and has opposed existing agreements between the two countries.