Overview
- The secretary of state, who spoke at the White House on Tuesday, said a Lebanon–Israel peace deal is within reach and should happen.
- Rubio said the main problem is Hezbollah, which he described as a Lebanese militant group, not Israel or Lebanon.
- He outlined current stances, saying Lebanon wants a permanent arrangement short of a peace treaty and Israel wants Hezbollah disarmed.
- He said Lebanon needs a government with the power to go after Hezbollah and take the group apart.
- Reporters noted no new talks were announced, with Reuters publishing the remarks and Al-Monitor carrying the same dispatch.