Israel and Lebanon envoys hail framework deal as a first step toward peace

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador, Nada Hamadeh Muawad, publicly welcomed a framework agreement between their countries on Friday evening. Leiter called it a “historic agreement,” while Muawad said it was the first step toward a “permanent and final cessation of hostilities.”

Muawad said the trilateral framework was a first move toward restoring Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, and toward securing a lasting end to the fighting that would allow people to return to their land and live in peace, security and prosperity. She said the talks were “long and difficult,” thanked the hosts and both delegations for their cooperation, and credited the breakthrough to President Aoun, Prime Minister Salam, Ambassador Karam, and the Lebanese armed forces.

Leiter said the agreement advanced President Donald Trump’s vision of “peace and security, peace through strength.” He thanked Muawad for being a tough negotiator and told her, “You fought like a lioness, madam ambassador.” He said that four days earlier he feared the “train” was going off the tracks and that “Iran and its proxies” wanted it to crash, but that work with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team put it back on track.

Leiter said the “final destination” was “peace between our two countries” and “real peace,” with both states living securely and having their sovereignty respected and protected. He said the framework is “performance-based,” with “Iran out, Hezbollah out, and the road to peace between Israel and Lebanon in.” He also thanked the people of northern Israel, especially the Upper Galilee, and said the progress would not have been possible without the IDF, many of whose soldiers “paid with their lives” in the fight against Iran and its proxies.