Blinken holds call with Lebanon's speaker of parliament

The US secretary of state held a phone call with Lebanon's speaker of parliament on Friday, according to Nabih Berri's office. 

Earlier in the day at a news conference in Laos, where Antony Blinken is currently on a visit, he said the US is "extremely focused" on reaching a "diplomatic understanding" between Israel and Lebanon, but did not suggest that the US has pivoted from its previously stated goal of eliminating Hezbollah alongside Israel. 

"Israel has a right to defend itself against terror attacks coming from Hezbollah, from Hamas, from anyone else.  But it’s also vitally important that in doing that, they focus on making sure that civilians are protected and, again, are not being caught in a terrible crossfire.  So that’s another area of concern," Blinken told reporters. 

He added that he has been in touch with Lebanese officials, and that the US believes that "the issue of the vacant presidency" in the country should be "resolved" in order for Lebanon to stand on its feet.