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According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Saturday, June 20, 2026, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to Lebanon’s security, stability, and sovereignty, while emphasizing the need for Hezbollah to be disarmed as part of efforts to strengthen state authority across the country.
The message was conveyed during a phone conversation on Friday between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, according to statements released by both the Lebanese presidency and the US State Department.
The leaders discussed the evolving situation in Lebanon and broader regional developments amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The call came as diplomatic efforts intensified following the announcement of a new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Rubio praised Aoun’s leadership and efforts to guide Lebanon through a period of political and economic challenges.
During the conversation, Rubio reiterated Washington’s support for Lebanon and pledged continued cooperation to help ensure the country’s security and stability. He stressed the importance of extending the authority of the Lebanese state across all parts of the country and strengthening national institutions, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces.
The US secretary of state underscored Washington’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s legitimate political, security, and military institutions, describing the army as a key pillar of national stability and sovereignty.
For his part, Aoun thanked the United States for its continued support and highlighted the need to end Israeli military operations on Lebanese territory through a comprehensive ceasefire arrangement.
The Lebanese president argued that achieving a lasting ceasefire remains essential for advancing diplomatic negotiations involving Lebanon, the United States, and Israel. He described the proposed truce as a fundamental requirement for progress in talks scheduled to take place in Washington next week.
The US State Department confirmed that a new round of high-level discussions involving representatives from the three countries is expected to be held from Tuesday through Thursday.
According to the Lebanese presidency, Aoun emphasized that the negotiations are intended to achieve Lebanon’s long-standing objectives of preserving national sovereignty, strengthening territorial integrity, and restoring security and stability across the country.
Rubio, however, reiterated Washington’s position that Hezbollah must be disarmed to enable the Lebanese government to exercise full authority throughout its territory. He argued that a sovereign state should maintain exclusive control over the use of force and pursue peaceful relations with neighboring countries.
The US official also maintained that direct diplomatic engagement between Lebanon and Israel represents the most practical path toward reconstruction, economic recovery, and the prevention of future conflicts.
He noted that sustained negotiations could help break what he described as recurring cycles of violence that have repeatedly destabilized the region.
The diplomatic exchange came shortly after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah entered into force at 4 p.m. local time on Friday. The truce followed a sharp escalation in hostilities that reportedly claimed dozens of lives on both sides of the border.
Reports indicated that at least 47 people were killed in southern Lebanon, while four Israeli soldiers also lost their lives during the latest round of fighting.
The conflict has inflicted a heavy humanitarian toll on Lebanon. Official figures show that Israel’s military operations in the country since March 2 have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, while forcing more than one million residents from their homes.
Despite repeated international calls for de-escalation, tensions remain high along the Israel-Lebanon border. Israeli forces continue to maintain positions in parts of southern Lebanon, with some areas having been occupied for decades and others seized during more recent military operations.
