Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday, calling for the full implementation of the trilateral framework agreement signed in June and urging the establishment of a clear timetable for its implementation.

Salam is continuing his official visit to the United States on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

As part of his meetings, the Lebanese prime minister held talks with Rubio at the U.S. Department of State in Washington. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi and Lebanon's Ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, also attended the meeting, according to Lebanese media reports.

The meeting lasted for about an hour, after which both sides agreed to continue diplomatic contacts through their respective officials.

Salam calls for full implementation of framework agreement

According to a statement issued by the Lebanese Prime Minister's Office, Salam stressed the need to move to the implementation phase of the trilateral framework agreement signed in June under U.S. mediation between Lebanon, the United States and the Israeli regime. He called for the agreement to be fully implemented in order to restore Lebanon's full sovereignty.

Salam said the principles of reciprocity and phased implementation should be translated into concrete measures and tangible results on the ground through a clear implementation timetable. He added that these steps should lead to the complete withdrawal of the Israeli regime from Lebanese territory, the restoration of Lebanon's full sovereignty and the confinement of all weapons to the authority of the Lebanese state throughout the country.

The Lebanese prime minister also called for the establishment of a credible monitoring mechanism to oversee implementation of the agreement and ensure that all parties fulfil their commitments. He stressed the importance of continued U.S. support for the Lebanese Armed Forces to enable them to carry out their responsibilities across the country.

Rubio reaffirms U.S. support

For his part, Rubio reaffirmed Washington's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and legitimate institutions, saying the United States would continue backing the implementation of the trilateral framework agreement and assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The framework agreement, signed in Washington in June under U.S. mediation, provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in areas vacated by Israeli troops and measures aimed at restoring security and stability along the border. Its implementation, however, has slowed amid continued tensions in southern Lebanon.(ILKHA)