Washington: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced that the United States is diligently working towards and making progress on the understandings necessary for the effective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 concerning Lebanon. He emphasized that this would form the foundation for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing crisis during a joint press conference with US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin, South Korea's Foreign Affairs Minister Cho Tae-Yul, and Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun. According to Kuwait News Agency, Blinken highlighted the importance of achieving clarity from both Lebanon and Israel regarding the requirements under Resolution 1701. These include the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from the border, the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces, the authorities under which they would operate, and an appropriate enforcement mechanism. Blinken shared insights from his recent trip to the region, noting that significant progress has been made in understanding these key elements. He stated, "We still have more work to do. But that's what's necessary to get us to a diplomatic resolution, including through a ceasefire."
