Rubio voices support for Lebanon during call with Aoun

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday, reaffirming Washington’s support for Lebanon’s efforts to extend state authority across all its territory, according to a readout of the call.

Rubio also expressed support for Lebanon’s legitimate institutions, “including security and military ones, foremost among them the Lebanese Armed Forces,” Aoun’s office said.

For his part, Aoun stressed the need for Israeli attacks to stop and said a “comprehensive ceasefire” was a key pillar for the US-led Lebanese-Israeli talks scheduled for next week.

Washington is set to host the fifth round of direct political talks at the State Department next week, while the Pentagon is expected to lead the second round of military negotiations between the two neighboring countries.

Rubio said that Beirut’s bilateral talks with Israel were the “only feasible path” to reconstruction, economic recovery, and ending recurrent cycles of violence, according to the readout provided by the State Department.

State Department Spokesman Tommy Piggot said Rubio commended Aoun’s courage in pursuing a historic opportunity for Lebanese sovereignty and recovery.

“The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ full support for the Government of Lebanon’s efforts to create a fully sovereign Lebanese state that is at peace with all its neighbors,” Pigott said.

“Secretary Rubio reiterated the need to disarm Hezbollah and to re-establish control over all Lebanese territory. They also discussed the need to coordinate with regional allies to advance these aims,” Pigott added.