Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with the United States

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, announced the signing of a framework agreement described as the first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Euronews reported.

Officials have not yet disclosed details of the agreement, which was signed by Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh.

Hamadeh said the framework agreement represents the first step toward restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, achieving a permanent and final cessation of hostilities, and enabling the Lebanese people to return to their homes.

Leiter, in turn, said the ultimate goal of the framework agreement is peace between the two countries.

“True peace, where both countries live in security and the sovereignty of Israel and Lebanon is respected, preserved and protected. Through this trilateral framework agreement, based on concrete results, the path to peace between Israel and Lebanon is open,” Leiter said.