Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington on Friday evening after four days of negotiations, as part of the fifth round of direct talks between the two sides.

Under the agreement, Israel and Lebanon declared their intention to end the conflict, address its underlying causes and end any state of war, and commit to a clear process whereby the Lebanese Forces would regain effective sovereignty over Lebanese territory, and provided for the gradual assumption of full security responsibility by the Lebanese army in two pilot areas in southern Lebanon.

Declaration of Common Intentions and End of the State of War

Israel and Lebanon affirm the right of each State to exist in peace, and their mutual desire to live in security as sovereign and neighbouring States. Under this framework, the parties declare their intention to end the dispute between them once and for all, address its underlying causes, and formally end any state of war between them.

This framework, which was reached after multiple rounds of direct negotiations between the two parties, builds on previous agreements and understandings that have proven successful, and expresses a common determination to make irreversible progress towards a comprehensive settlement of all outstanding issues between the two countries.

The parties reaffirm their determination to address these issues, as sovereign States, through direct bilateral negotiations, mediated and supported by the United States of America.

A gradual security path to extend Lebanese sovereignty

The Government of the State of Israel and the Government of the Lebanese Republic shall be committed to a reciprocal and gradual process, in accordance with a clear sequence and with specific conditions, whereby the Lebanese Armed Forces shall assume the extension of effective State authority over the entire Lebanese territory, after verifying the disarmament of non-State armed groups and the dismantling of their infrastructure, thus allowing the Israeli forces to gradually redeploy them outside Lebanese territory.

The details of this path are outlined in a security annex that promises and complements this framework with the full support of the United States of America. The framework outlines the measures required, security arrangements and verification mechanisms needed to move this path forward. The successful implementation of this framework would pave the way for a stable and peaceful relationship between the two countries and allow Israeli forces to redeploy outside Lebanese territory.

Experimental areas for verification and redeployment

Pursuant to the Security Annex, and as part of the broader effort to establish the Lebanese State's arms monopoly and its sovereignty over its entire territory, the Lebanese Armed Forces are gradually assuming full and effective security responsibility in pilot areas, which constitute the mechanism through which the phased and verified redeployment of the Israeli forces is carried out, in parallel with the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The Israeli forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces agreed on two initial test zones, with any subsequent test zones to be agreed upon by mutual consent. Once the disarmament and infrastructure of non-State armed groups in these areas has been successfully ascertained, the Lebanese Armed Forces assume full and effective security responsibility in these areas, reconstruction efforts begin with international support, and Lebanese civilians are able to safely return to those areas under the exclusive control of the legitimate Lebanese authorities. The United States intends to work closely with the two countries to verify and support the implementation of this process.

Full Lebanese commitment to arms monopoly

The Government of the Republic of Lebanon reaffirms its firm and irrevocable commitment to the restoration and exercise of full sovereignty over all its territory.

The Government of the Lebanese Republic is committed to re-establishing the State monopoly on the use of force, to achieving the complete and verified disarmament of all non-State armed groups and to ensuring that these groups do not play any military or security role and do not possess any armed capabilities anywhere on Lebanese territory. In this context, the Government of the Republic of Lebanon requests the support of international partners, in particular Arab partners, led by the United States of America, to this end.

Israel links withdrawal to the end of threat

The Government of the State of Israel asserts that its military operations in Lebanon are solely the result of attacks, threats, and hostile intentions emanating from non-State armed groups, in particular Hizbullah.

The Government of Israel stresses that ending this threat, through the disarmament and dismantling of these groups throughout Lebanon, together with additional security arrangements agreed upon by the two countries, will eliminate any future need for any future military action or military presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon. On the basis of the foregoing, the Government of Israel declares that it does not harbor any regional ambitions or demands in Lebanon.

Rejection of any military role outside the Lebanese state

The Government of the Republic of Lebanon affirms, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and in exercise of its sovereign authority, that its security forces have exclusive responsibility for the security and defence of Lebanon, and that the Government of the Republic of Lebanon alone has the exclusive sovereign authority to take decisions of war and peace.

The Government of the Republic of Lebanon rejects any allegation by any State or non-State entity of the use of force on its behalf without its express authorization, and reaffirms that any allegation by any State or non-State entity to exercise a military or security role is illegal under the decisions of the Government of Lebanon and is contrary to the Lebanese national interests.

Establishment of a military coordination group

The Government of the Lebanese Republic and the Government of the State of Israel affirm that nothing in this context prevents them from exercising their inherent right to self-defence, as stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations and in conformity with the applicable provisions of international law, while reaffirming that no third party may exercise this right on their behalf. The two governments are also committed to establishing a military coordination group, with the support and participation of the United States, to ensure the comprehensive implementation of this framework.

A shared vision for a secure and rebuilt Lebanon

The two countries affirm that they share the goal of establishing a secure and reconstructed Lebanon, with full Lebanese sovereignty and in which no non-state armed group poses a threat to Israel, Lebanon, or the citizens of either country. The two countries also recognize that the restoration of security in southern Lebanon through the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces, the safe return of the civilian population, and the security of communities in northern Israel are all essential elements for long-term stability and peace.

Strict Lebanese program to extend control with conditional support

The Government of the Republic of Lebanon is committed to implementing a rigorous, performance-based programme aimed at enabling the Lebanese Armed Forces to extend full military and security control within Lebanon, in accordance with the security arrangements agreed upon within the framework of negotiations, to implement the disarmament of all non-State armed groups, and to effectively exercise State authority throughout Lebanon.

The Government of the Republic of Lebanon welcomes the readiness of the United States of America to support these efforts, while recognizing that any new U.S. assistance will be strictly conditional on the achievement of specific and achievable milestones, full transparency, demonstrated results, and continued oversight and oversight mechanisms. Such efforts would allow for the safe and orderly restoration of Lebanese sovereignty, which would also contribute to the strengthening of stability and security in the entire Middle East region.

International support for reconstruction and economic recovery

In parallel, the United States will mobilize international partners to effectively support the Government of the Republic of Lebanon in rebuilding the country, repairing infrastructure, reviving the economy, and creating opportunities for prosperity. This is expected to include mobilizing significant reconstruction and humanitarian aid to Lebanon, launching economic recovery programs, and investment initiatives to enable Lebanon to recover from years of conflict and provide a better future for all its citizens.

Preventing funds from reaching armed groups

The Republic of Lebanon and the United States of America are committed to preventing funds from reaching any entity, organization, or individual associated with any non-state armed group, and to take all available legal measures to prohibit the activities of any such entity, organization, or individual. The Government of the Republic of Lebanon is also expressly committed to preventing the flow of reconstruction funds to non-State armed groups or associated entities.

Parallel Negotiations Towards a Comprehensive Peace Agreement

Once the framework is signed, the two countries will work to establish working groups to prepare a comprehensive peace and security agreement. In addition, in order to achieve the objectives of this framework, the two governments shall immediately establish parallel channels of direct and continuous communication, facilitated by the United States of America. The two Governments commit themselves to continuing to work in good faith until a full and lasting peace is reached, in order to achieve security, stability and prosperity for the peoples of Israel and Lebanon.

Goodwill Measures and Cessation of Hostilities

In line with their shared goal of establishing stable and peaceful relations, Israel and Lebanon commit to taking actions in good faith that reflect their positive intentions, including the cessation of all hostilities or harmful actions in international political or legal forums, the search for and return of remains, and the release of detainees.

Appreciation of the U.S. role in sponsoring the deal

The Governments of the Republic of Lebanon and the State of Israel appreciate the role played by the United States of America in supporting their efforts to end decades of conflict and establish lasting stability and comprehensive peace between the two countries, and deeply appreciate the vision and leadership provided by President Donald Trump.