Lebanon, Rubio to Aoun: “Negotiation with Israel is the only way to end the violence.”

Washington (USA), 19 June. (LaPresse) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, emphasizing, among other things, that “Lebanon’s bilateral negotiations with Israel represent the only viable path to reconstruction, economic recovery, and an end to recurring cycles of violence.” As a State Department statement reports, Rubio and Aoun discussed the next round of negotiations, scheduled for June 23-25 in Washington, where the two sovereign governments “will make progress toward lasting peace.” Rubio also reiterated “the need to disarm Hezbollah and re-establish control over all Lebanese territory.”