Lebanese premier urges implementation of trilateral framework to ensure Israeli withdrawal

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Monday called for moving toward activating the Lebanon-US-Israel tripartite framework to ensure Israeli troops' withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

His call came during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.

The discussions addressed bilateral developments in Lebanon and the region, Salam said in a statement on the US social media company X following the meeting.

"I stressed the need to move toward activating the tripartite framework and translating the principles of reciprocity and a phased approach into practical steps and tangible results on the ground," he stated.

"This should lead to Lebanon regaining full sovereignty, achieving a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and ensuring that the state holds exclusive control over arms across the entire country," Salam added.

In this context, he stressed the importance of setting a clear timetable for implementing the commitments outlined in the US-brokered framework that was signed between Beirut and Tel Aviv in June.

Salam also called for a "credible mechanism" to monitor implementation and prevent non-compliance from obstructing the process.

The trilateral framework goes beyond security arrangements to support relief, recovery, reconstruction and the return of displaced people, the prime minister noted.

Salam called for US and international support for Lebanon’s recovery and the return of displaced people, particularly in war-affected areas, while urging continued US support to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

For his part, Rubio reaffirmed US support for Lebanon and its institutions and called for implementing the trilateral framework to promote stability and security, according to the statement.

Beirut and Tel Aviv signed a US-sponsored framework agreement on June 26.

The agreement provides for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas from which they withdraw.

Despite the deal, Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon.

The attacks have killed at least 4,386 people, injured 12,407 and displaced more than 1 million others since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities.