US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Tuesday for seizing a “historic opportunity” to achieve lasting peace in Lebanon, with the launch of the first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in decades. When he received the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rubio said: “It is a historic opportunity. We realize that we are facing decades of history and complexities that have brought us to this unique moment, and to the possibilities available to us.” He added: “This is about ending decades of Hezbollah’s influence in this region,” noting that Tuesday’s talks launch “a path that will take time.” Tuesday saw Rubio receive the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon in the first direct peace talks in decades. The meeting, which was held at the headquarters of the US State Department, included Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad, along with US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.