U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Lebanese people are paying the price for regional conflicts, stressing the need to put an end to this suffering. He made the remarks at the opening of the preparatory meeting between Lebanon and Israel, where he noted that the primary objective is to launch a serious negotiating track, despite recognizing that the complexities of the issue will not be resolved in a short time.
He explained that current efforts are focused on establishing a practical framework that can serve as a foundation for achieving positive and sustainable results, ensuring a better future for the Lebanese while at the same time providing security and stability for Israelis.
Rubio affirmed that this process requires time and sustained effort, noting that what is taking place is not a passing event but a long-term process that needs follow-up and coordination with the various concerned parties, through representatives capable of conveying the outcomes of these talks to their capitals.
He pointed out that the ambition is to reach clear foundations for lasting peace, allowing the Lebanese people to live in safety and prosperity, and the Israeli people to live free from security threats, considering this meeting a pivotal step that can be built upon in the next phase.
