Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met today, Monday, at the headquarters of the US State Department in Washington, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raji, and Lebanese Ambassador to the United States of America Nada Hamada Moawad. The meeting discussed practical steps for the next stage, amid efforts to restore Lebanon’s full sovereignty and build a renewed partnership with the United States.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister presented the necessity of activating the tripartite framework according to a clear timetable and a reliable mechanism to verify the implementation of commitments, in line with the paths of Israeli withdrawal and the extension of state authority and the exclusivity of weapons over all Lebanese territory, stressing the translation of the principles of reciprocity and interimity into tangible results that prevent non-implementation from being used as an excuse to obstruct the path.
Salam explained that the tripartite framework extends to support the government’s efforts in the areas of relief, recovery and reconstruction, in addition to rehabilitating infrastructure and basic services, and creating appropriate conditions for the return of the displaced and their settlement in their areas, calling for mobilizing American and international support for the areas affected by the war and strengthening the capabilities of the Lebanese army to carry out its constitutional tasks.
For his part, US Minister Marco Rubio affirmed his country’s continued support for Lebanon and its legitimate institutions, as well as continuing to support the Lebanese army and strengthening its security capabilities, stressing the importance of moving forward with the implementation of the tripartite framework to ensure security and stability in the country.
This meeting comes within the framework of the current Prime Minister’s visit to the United States, which he began by participating in the work of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he held a series of meetings with international officials and leaders, before moving to Washington to continue his talks, which also include meetings with the Director General of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, and the President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga.
