Rubio says goal of Israel-Lebanon talks is to outline framework for peace deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the goal of today’s historic meeting at the State Department between Israeli and Lebanese envoys is to outline a framework for a peace deal between their two countries.

“The hope today is that we can outline the framework upon which a permanent, lasting peace can be developed so that the people of Israel can live in peace and the people of Lebanon can live, not just in peace but in the prosperity and security that they deserve,” Rubio says in brief remarks to reporters after the sides sat down in a State Department meeting room.

Rubio urges tempering expectations for what can be achieved today.

“This is a process, not an event. This is more than just one day. This will take time, but we believe it is worth this endeavor, and it’s a historic gathering that we hope to build on,” he adds.

“We understand we’re working against decades of history and the complexities that have led us to this unique moment,” Rubio says.

“I know some of you are shouting questions about ceasefires. This is a lot more than just about that. This is about bringing a permanent end to 20 or 30 years of Hezbollah’s influence in this part of the world — not just the damage that’s its has inflicted on Israel, but the damage that it has inflicted on the Lebanese people,” he tells reporters.

“We are joined by excellent people who will be in a position to obviously take this back to their respective capitals,” he adds, without taking questions from reporters.