The United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have emphasized the importance of keeping negotiations between Lebanon and Israel free from the influence of other regional conflicts. This stance was reinforced in the final statement following a ministerial meeting held in Manama.
The statement reaffirmed a commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity. It welcomed the U.S.-mediated bilateral negotiations between Lebanon and Israel aimed at creating conditions for a lasting peace and establishing security arrangements and agreements between the two parties.
The ministers underscored the importance of continuing the negotiation process regardless of other regional crises, suggesting that this approach supports stability and enhances prospects for lasting solutions.
The statement also welcomed efforts to restore security and extend Lebanese state authority across its entire territory, alongside progress in permanently demarcating borders.
The United States and the GCC stressed the importance of ensuring the use of force remains an exclusive right of the Lebanese state. They emphasized the need to disarm armed groups outside state control to bolster the country's legitimate institutions and support security and stability in Lebanon.