US, Israel, Lebanon announce framework agreement, boxing out Iran 

The Trump administration, Israel and Lebanon on Friday announced a trilateral framework aimed at kicking out Iran’s influence in the country through its support of the militant group Hezbollah and paving a way for an Israeli withdrawal from territory it holds in the south.

The agreement came after three days of intense talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials that were mediated by the United States. 

“This was a long and difficult meeting,” Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad said. 

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said the agreement has put “the train back on the tracks,” after warning at the start of the talks on Tuesday that the negotiations were at risk of becoming a train wreck. 

“We have put the train back on the tracks, and it’s running in the right direction,” he said. “Final destination: peace between our two countries.”

A joint statement released by the U.S., Israel and Lebanon said the parties have agreed on a “clear and structured process to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah,” dismantle its terrorist infrastructure and enable an Israeli........

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