Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for the continued implementation of a framework agreement with Israel during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on September 28.
The framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel was concluded in June under U.S. mediation. It provides for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and the disarmament of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group.
The conflict between Lebanon and Israel escalated in March when Hezbollah launched an attack on Israeli territory from Lebanese soil in support of Iran's broader confrontation with the United States and Israel. Israel responded with extensive airstrikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
According to Beirut, the Israeli military operations have resulted in more than 4,300 deaths. Hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced as a result of the fighting.
Implementation of the June agreement has stalled, according to available reports. Salam's request to Rubio underscores Lebanon's interest in reviving the accord's provisions, which call for the phased departure of Israeli troops and Hezbollah's disarmament.