Tampa:Lebanon Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced that the country will participate in US-backed trilateral meetings with Israel on October 20 in Tampa, Florida.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, President Aoun stated that a military delegation from Lebanon will attend the meeting to present Beirut's demands. The delegation aims to address the issue of Israeli escalation and secure outcomes aligned with the framework agreement.

The announcement was made during Aoun's meeting with a French delegation led by Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. During the meeting, Aoun emphasized Lebanon's desire to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to maintain international presence in the south and prevent a power vacuum.

Barrot reiterated France's solidarity with Lebanon and pledged continued support across various sectors. He also expressed readiness to mobilize resources for addressing urgent humanitarian needs in Lebanon.

The context of these talks follows ongoing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, which began in early March and have persisted despite a US-sponsored framework agreement in June aimed at facilitating Israeli withdrawal and the disarmament of Hezbollah.