US Secretary of State Rubio in UAE

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has begun his Gulf tour. Rubio, who arrived in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the first stop of his Gulf tour, made a statement at the airport.

Rubio said that the negotiation and maintenance of the Lebanon ceasefire would be kept separate from any agreement to be made with Iran. "This process is separate. It is separate because Lebanon is a sovereign country. Lebanon has a government, and regarding what is happening in Lebanon, we will negotiate and reach an agreement directly with the Lebanese government," he said.

Stating that there is an Iranian problem regarding Lebanon, Rubio said, "And that is the support and patronage Iran provides to Hezbollah. Therefore, this issue will be addressed as part of our discussions with the Iranians. However, when it comes to the future of Lebanon, the future of Lebanon belongs to the Lebanese people through their sovereign and elected government. And that is who we will work with."

Stating that the Strait of Hormuz must be kept open for safe and free passage, Rubio said, "This is an international waterway. No country can demand a toll or fee for passage in an international waterway. This is a rule according to applicable international law."

Rubio, who will meet with UAE officials as part of his contacts, will travel to Kuwait tomorrow for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting and then to Bahrain.