Ankara: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and army commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal held talks on Monday with US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper and an accompanying delegation to discuss a recent Lebanon-Israel framework agreement. A presidency statement said talks between Aoun and Cooper focused on preparations regarding the start of implementing the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

According to Anadolu Agency, Aoun expressed gratitude to Cooper for the attention US President Donald Trump has shown to Lebanon in achieving security and stability. He affirmed the Lebanese state's determination to extend its authority, through its armed forces, to the southern international border. The meeting included the presence of Keith Hanigan, the Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Beirut, and Gen. Joseph Clairfield, head of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism committee with Israel.

Lebanese army chief Haykal also met with Cooper to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the success of the mechanism to implement a security annex to the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel. The military statement mentioned the discussions about ways to enhance future cooperation.

Haykal expressed gratitude to the US for its support and highlighted the need for continued cooperation between the two armies to preserve Lebanon's security and stability. The meetings followed the recent signing of a US-brokered framework agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv, which outlines a phased Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.

The discussions occurred in the backdrop of an ongoing military offensive by Israel in Lebanon, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 4,247 people, injuries to 12,195 others, and the displacement of over 1 million people, as reported by the Lebanese Health Ministry.