Rubio urges Lebanon to not return confiscated explosives to Hezbollah, US official says

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone conversation with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss the recent confiscation of hundreds of kilograms of explosives belonging to Hezbollah. According to a US State Department official, Rubio strongly urged the Lebanese president against returning the seized material to the militant group.

In addition to preventing the return of the explosives, Rubio called on the Lebanese leadership to hold accountable all individuals responsible for ordering, financing, and directing the procurement of the confiscated munitions. The diplomatic intervention highlights ongoing international scrutiny regarding Lebanon's handling of militant infrastructure within its borders.