Lebanese President Talks to Secretary of State Rubio, Says US Committed to Assisting Ceasefire

JAKARTA - The Lebanese presidential office said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington's efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon in a telephone conversation with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, April 16, President Aoun thanked the United States for its efforts to broker a ceasefire and for its support in various fields.

Rubio stressed that the US would continue its diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire as a step towards restoring peace, security, and stability in Lebanon, the statement said, Thursday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Rubio also conveyed support and appreciation for the attitude taken by President Aoun.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday (15/4), US President Donald Trump said Washington was trying to create a little breathing space between Israel and Lebanon.

"It's been a long time since the two leaders spoke, about 34 years. It will happen tomorrow," Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform.

The announcement followed US-mediated talks, on Tuesday (14/4), between Lebanon and Israel at the US State Department (State Department), Washington. However, the Hezbollah group was not represented in the meeting and rejected the measures.

Lebanon and Israel also agreed to start direct peace negotiations, with the location and time to be determined later, amid a situation where Israel still occupies territory in southern Lebanon.

Israel has occupied parts of southern Lebanon for decades and others since the previous war in 2006-2007.