US hopes Israel and Lebanon reach security agreement

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday (local time) that he hopes Israel and Lebanon, who have been in talks for two days, will reach an agreement on regional security and a peace system.

Rubio said at a House hearing, "Leaders of the legitimate government of Lebanon and the government of Israel have been meeting at the State Department for two consecutive days." He added, "Hopefully, today they will release a joint statement and action plan regarding the direction for the security of their countries."

It is interpreted that 'the legitimate government of Lebanon' refers to the official government, not the pro-Iranian armed group Hezbollah.

Rubio said the joint statement and action plan to be released by the two governments would be "independent of Hezbollah and malicious influence." The term 'malicious influence' appears to refer to Iran.

Rubio added, "They had a similar meeting last week at the Pentagon (US Department of Defense)."

Israel and Lebanon resumed their fourth direct dialogue in Washington D.C. at the State Department building starting yesterday, aiming to halt armed conflict in Lebanon and sign a peace treaty.

This move comes as the US intervenes in mediation, as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is seen as a variable in the US-Iran peace negotiations, which are observed to be nearing their end.