Lebanon’s president demands end of ‘Israeli occupation’ in the south

In relation to the talks, Lebanon’s President Aoun says “the developments of the past few days have proven the correctness of our choice to go to negotiation, for it is the only path relied upon at the level of the entire world to achieve national goals and restore all rights”.

In a statement on X put out by his office, he expressed hope that the latest round of negotiations would be “decisive” in achieving Lebanon’s objectives, including “restoring Lebanon’s full sovereignty over every inch of soil and extending the state’s authority over all our land”.

“Today we say that we will accept nothing less than the end of the Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon and the collapse of foreign mandates together, for our only choice is our national sovereignty, and our sole bet is the Lebanese state – which alone, and nothing else – protects everyone, preserves the freedoms and dignities of all.”