U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL troops in Lebanon.
He also reaffirmed the United States' commitment to pursuing a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon, according to a Pentagon statement.
The statement, as reported by Al-Hurra TV on Saturday evening, noted that Secretary Austin urged the Israeli government during his meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to continue taking steps to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), comprising around 10,000 troops, has been stationed in southern Lebanon since 1978, primarily tasked with monitoring compliance with the Blue Line, which demarcates the border between Lebanon and Israel as delineated by the UN in 2000.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein visited Lebanon and Israel last week in an effort to broker a ceasefire agreement. Hochstein reported progress following his meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday in Beirut before traveling to Israel for discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant.
Follow the latest news on Google News
