Lebanese PM Urges US Secretary of State to Set Timeline for Israeli Withdrawal

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington D.C. to call for a clear timeline for the implementation of commitments related to a security framework, according to Lebanese newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat. Mikati specifically demanded progress towards a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, alongside the deployment of state authority and the concentration of weapons in the hands of the Lebanese government.

The meeting, held at the U.S. State Department and attended by Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and other senior officials, discussed developments in Lebanon and the region. Mikati emphasized the need to move to the practical implementation phase of the "tripartite framework," stressing gradual and mutual progress on commitments. He stated that this process should lead to a complete Israeli withdrawal, the extension of Lebanese state authority throughout its territory, and the consolidation of weapons under government control.

Mikati also requested the establishment of a clear timetable for fulfilling these commitments and a monitoring mechanism to oversee their implementation. He aimed to prevent situations where non-compliance by one party could halt the entire process. The Prime Minister added that the framework extends beyond security arrangements to include the reconstruction of areas affected by conflict, infrastructure development, and the return of displaced residents to their homes. He further sought continued U.S. support for the Lebanese army to enhance its capacity to enforce state authority nationwide.

According to the report, Blinken affirmed the United States' commitment to ongoing support for Lebanon and its institutions, including the Lebanese army. He encouraged continued implementation of the framework designed to promote stability and security in the region. The meeting occurred amidst ongoing discussions concerning the future of arrangements in southern Lebanon, negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, and the continued operations of the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, in the area.