The United States and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reaffirmed their support for Lebanon's sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity on Thursday, welcoming ongoing U.S.-mediated negotiations between Lebanon and Israel and calling for the disarmament of all armed groups operating outside the authority of the Lebanese State.

The commitment came in a joint statement issued after the U.S.-GCC Ministerial Meeting in Manama, co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, with the participation of GCC foreign ministers and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.

The ministers welcomed the ongoing bilateral negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, facilitated by the United States, saying they are aimed at creating the conditions for a lasting peace and security agreement between the two countries.

They stressed that the negotiating process should continue independently of developments in other regional conflicts and welcomed what they described as a practical approach designed to restore security, reestablish Lebanese state authority, and demarcate permanent borders.

The statement also underscored that "full Lebanese sovereignty cannot be achieved while non-state armed groups maintain military capabilities outside the Lebanese state authority," calling for "the full disarmament of all such groups and the restoration of the Lebanese state's monopoly of force," while recognizing the importance of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in carrying out that mission.

Beyond Lebanon, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the strategic partnership between Washington and the GCC and welcomed the June 17 memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran. They also recognized the mediation efforts of Pakistan and Qatar and stressed the need to maintain momentum toward a permanent end to hostilities while ensuring that Iran never develops or acquires a nuclear weapon.

They said lasting peace and security in the Middle East would require addressing what they described as the full spectrum of threats posed by Iran, including its ballistic missile and drone programs as well as its support for proxy groups throughout the region.

The ministers further emphasized that reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains essential to regional and global security, reaffirming the importance of free, unconditional and unrestricted navigation in accordance with international law. They rejected any attempts to impose tolls, fees or control over the strategic waterway and welcomed Oman's and the International Maritime Organization's evacuation plan for more than 11,000 stranded seafarers.

They also said that any future trade and investment with Iran would remain conditional and reversible, depending on Tehran's compliance with the memorandum of understanding and any final agreement, an end to what they described as its destabilizing activities, and the creation of conditions suitable for broader economic engagement.

Turning to Syria, the ministers reiterated their support for the Syrian people in building a stable, peaceful, inclusive and sovereign country fully integrated into the region. They reaffirmed their commitment to Syria's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and pledged continued cooperation with Damascus to combat terrorism, restore essential services, improve the investment climate, and facilitate the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced people.

On Gaza, the ministers reaffirmed their support for President Donald Trump's Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, endorsed by U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803. Rubio welcomed the participation of GCC members in the Board of Peace and thanked them for their commitments to stabilization, recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The statement stressed the need to disarm all non-state armed groups in Gaza to enable reconstruction and called for responsibility to be transferred to an independent technocratic Palestinian civilian committee. The ministers also welcomed Trump's opposition to the annexation of the West Bank and said reforms within the Palestinian Authority, together with Gaza's redevelopment, could help create a credible pathway toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood. They further emphasized that no one should be forced to leave Gaza and that anyone who chooses to leave must be free to return.

The ministers also condemned attacks by Iranian-backed groups in Iraq against GCC countries, including drone strikes targeting civilian facilities, critical infrastructure and energy installations. They reaffirmed their support for the Iraqi government's efforts to place all weapons under state control and prevent non-state armed groups from using Iraqi territory to threaten neighboring states.

They also reiterated their support for Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with international law and relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, emphasized Kuwait's sovereignty over its territorial waters, and called on Iraq to uphold its bilateral and international obligations. The ministers further urged the Iraqi government to ensure the security of diplomatic missions operating in the country and protect them from threats or attacks in accordance with its international commitments.