US, Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement in Washington

The United States, Israel and Lebanon have signed a trilateral framework agreement in Washington aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Lebanon and restoring Lebanese state authority.

Signed on June 26 with the backing of the US administration, the framework declares the parties' shared goal of lasting peace and security, an intent to formally end any state of war, and a commitment to establish peaceful relations between the two neighbours.

A central element is a structured process to disarm Hezbollah and dismantle what the agreement calls its terrorist infrastructure, while enabling Israel to withdraw to its borders once it judges the threat removed. Lebanon, under the framework, would rebuild the state's monopoly on the use of force and pursue the complete and verified disarmament of all non-state armed groups.

To support implementation, the agreement establishes a US-facilitated trilateral Military Coordination Group for Lebanon, and Washington pledged an immediate $100 million in humanitarian assistance coordinated with the United Nations.

The deal was not universally welcomed. In Lebanon, the signing spurred protests and criticism, reflecting deep divisions over disarmament and the country's relationship with Israel. The framework sets out ambitions that will be tested by the difficulty of implementation on the ground.