Washington affirms its support for the Lebanese government and calls for an end to escalation in the south

The US State Department said that Secretary Marco Rubio informed the President of the Lebanese Republic that responsibility for the continued tensions and clashes lies with Hezbollah, stressing the need to halt what he described as attacks and provocations in order to help calm the situation and reduce escalation.

The State Department also praised what it described as President Joseph Aoun’s “courage and vision” in pushing toward a path of direct negotiations with Israel, despite what it said were attempts to obstruct this course at the expense of internal stability and the interests of the Lebanese people.

Washington also renewed its full support for the Lebanese government in what it described as the “historic opportunity” available to Lebanon, with the aim of reaching a political settlement that would allow for stability and reconstruction.