Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged renewed efforts to implement a June framework agreement with Israel during a meeting on September 28 in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The deal, brokered by the United States, aims to facilitate a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the disarmament of Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran.
The conflict between Lebanon and Israel escalated in March when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, prompting a large-scale Israeli military response involving airstrikes and a ground invasion. Lebanon has reported that more than 4,300 people have died as a result of the fighting.
Salam emphasized the importance of moving beyond diplomatic principles to tangible actions that restore Lebanon’s full sovereignty, secure the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and ensure that weapons are confined exclusively to state authorities. Central to the agreement is the deployment of the Lebanese army to southern “pilot zones” to assert governmental control in areas previously dominated by Hezbollah.
During the meeting, Salam also called for the creation of a credible verification mechanism to monitor adherence to the framework’s commitments. He highlighted the challenging task faced by the Lebanese military in disarming Hezbollah, a group that continues to reject calls to disarm. Meanwhile, Israel maintains a military presence in parts of southern Lebanon and regularly conducts airstrikes, actions that Lebanon asserts violate the framework.
US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa recently visited one of the “pilot zones” to evaluate progress and obstacles on the ground, reflecting ongoing US engagement in supporting Lebanon’s efforts. Rubio reiterated strong US backing for Lebanon’s sovereignty and endorsed the trilateral agreement as the only viable path toward durable peace with Israel. He underscored the United States’ stance against Hezbollah and Iranian influence within Lebanon.
On the same day as Salam’s meeting, Lebanon reported a large explosion in the southern town of Mansouri, which the Israeli military said resulted from an operation dismantling “terrorist” infrastructure. The incident underscores the continuing tensions and complexities surrounding the fragile security situation in southern Lebanon despite the framework agreement.
The path forward remains uncertain, as both sides face significant challenges in implementing the framework amid ongoing security concerns and political divisions within Lebanon. The agreement’s success will depend on continued diplomatic efforts, verification mechanisms, and the ability of the Lebanese state to extend its authority in contested areas.