Full Israeli withdrawal remains Lebanon’s national priority, says president

President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun said that securing a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory remains a national priority, reaffirming Beirut’s commitment to restoring sovereignty over all occupied areas, Bernama reports.

Aoun stated: “The path to a complete Israeli withdrawal remains a steadfast national demand, one that the Lebanese state is working to achieve through negotiations.”

The remarks came as Lebanon marked Resistance and Liberation Day, commemorating Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 after 22 years of occupation.

Aoun stressed that ongoing negotiations with Israel “will not be an act of concession or surrender,” but rather reflect Lebanon’s determination to uphold its sovereign right to defend its territory through national military and security institutions.

Beirut and Tel Aviv have held three rounds of direct talks under United States mediation since mid-April as part of efforts to establish a lasting peace arrangement.

Despite a ceasefire that came into force on April 17 and was later extended into early July, Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have continued.

According to Lebanese officials, more than 3,100 people have been killed, over 9,500 injured, and approximately 1.6 million displaced as a result of Israeli bombardments in Lebanon since March 2 amid the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah.

By Vafa Guliyeva