Rubio announces peace deal between Israel, Lebanon
by Vaughn Cockayne · The Washington TimesSecretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday announced that Israel and Lebanon reached a framework that could bring security to the region after months of war.
The agreement is the fruit of several weeks of U.S.-mediated talks between the two countries in Washington.
The framework calls for a cessation of bombing in Lebanon, contingent on the Iran-backed paramilitary group Hezbollah evacuating territory south of the Litani River.
“Today is a good day in that we are happy to announce a framework agreement between the sovereign government of Lebanon and, of course, the government of Israel,” Mr. Rubio said. “With the mediation and support of the United States of America, that begins to put in place a framework for lasting peace and security.”
Hezbollah, which has not been party to any of the negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, has not responded to the deal’s announcement. The group’s leaders previously said they would not abide by any talks where their interests were not represented.
Israel and Lebanon have announced several ceasefire agreements in recent months, but Beirut has no official control over Hezbollah, and the Israeli military has continued its assaults on southern Lebanese towns.
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Friday’s deal also includes provisions for the Lebanese armed forces to control pilot zones, where they would remove soldiers from Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah.
Brokering an end to Israel’s war with Hezbollah is a critical goal for the U.S. as it seeks to maintain a memorandum of understanding with Iran. The agreement’s first provision includes a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
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But Israel has continued to conduct scattered airstrikes on targets in southern Lebanon and has refused to pull its forces out of what it terms the security zone.
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Vaughn Cockayne
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