Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has rejected Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon and other foreign interference as the fifth round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel has begun in Washington, DC.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported on Tuesday that the latest round of talks, covering both security and political issues, got under way at the US State Department headquarters in the US capital.
No further details were immediately released about the agenda or participants.
As the talks began in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejected Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon and other foreign interference.
"We accept nothing less than an end to the Israeli occupation and at the same time, the fall of foreign tutelage, because our only option is our national sovereignty and our sole wager is on the Lebanese state," Aoun said, according to his office.
He also expressed hope that the new round of talks would be "decisive along the path of achieving what we seek for the good of our nation and people", namely "the full restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty over every grain of its soil".
Aim to reach agreement
The US State Department announced on Friday that the direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations would be held in Washington from June 23 to 25.
The latest round marks the fifth session since talks began in April, as part of a process aimed at reaching an agreement between the two sides.
The talks come after a US-Iran memorandum of understanding entered into force on June 18, following its electronic signing by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The agreement includes a provision committing the parties to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 4,100 people and injured more than 12,000 others since March 2, according to official Lebanese figures.
Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, including territory it has held for decades and areas seized during the 2023-2024 war.
