U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio took part on Friday in the announcement of a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, which the parties described as the first step toward peace after months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The document was signed in Washington in Rubio’s presence by Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad. Representatives of the sides presented the agreement as a basis for further negotiations, though details of the deal were not disclosed.

It is noted that Hezbollah did not take part in the negotiations, and one representative of the movement in Lebanon warned of the risk of internal conflict.

Later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the framework document would allow Lebanese forces in the future to regain control over territories currently under the control of the Israeli military.

Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, said that the agreement is “the first step on the path to restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensuring a permanent ceasefire, returning people to their lands, and achieving peace, security, and prosperity.”