Vance, Rubio discuss with Aoun formation of joint 'US-Lebanese-Iranian cell'

President Joseph Aoun received a phone call Tuesday afternoon from U.S. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which they discussed the latest developments related to the situation in Lebanon and the period following the Switzerland meetings, the Presidency said.

Vance and Rubio "affirmed the United States' support for the positions of the President and the Lebanese government in their efforts to extend the legitimate authority of the state and strengthen its national sovereignty over all its territory through its army and security forces alone, enabling it to fulfill its commitments in this regard," the Presidency said

They also emphasized the United States' "continued commitment to implementing the agreements reached in Switzerland, including the formation of a joint U.S.-Lebanese-Iranian cell to solidify the ceasefire in Lebanon and monitor the implementation of related measures."

"They noted that the arrangements concerning the cell's operation and its formation are currently under review," the Presidency said.

Aoun for his part thanked the senior U.S. officials for "the attention the United States is giving to Lebanon with the aim of ending the war and strengthening the authority of the Lebanese state and its independent decision-making," noting that the state is "solely responsible for preserving national sovereignty, the dignity of the Lebanese people, and their safety."