Washington, December 19 (QNA) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his confidence Friday that several countries will send troops to participate in the planned international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip.

During a press conference, Rubio said, "I am very confident that we have a number of countries acceptable to all parties in this matter, and they are ready to participate in the stabilization force," stressing the necessity of establishing peace in Gaza with the participation of all parties.

He also expressed his country's hope that "the talks between the Lebanese authorities and the Israeli entity will lead to the establishment of a framework and a way forward that prevents the escalation of the conflict."

Regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, the US Secretary of State affirmed that Washington would not force Kyiv to accept a peace agreement with Moscow, despite his country's efforts to end the nearly four-year-long conflict between the two nations.

He stated, "This whole narrative that we are trying to impose something on Ukraine is ridiculous. We cannot force Ukraine to make an agreement, and we cannot force Russia to make an agreement. They must want to reach an agreement."

On the current situation between the United States and Venezuela, Rubio described it as "untenable and must change," while simultaneously downplaying the significance of Moscow's support for Caracas as the Russian war in Ukraine continues.

He stated that "the status quo regarding the Venezuelan regime is clearly untenable for the United States," adding that Washington is "not worried about an escalation with Russia concerning Venezuela" because "it has many problems in Ukraine." (QNA)