Lebanon says full Israeli withdrawal remains top priority

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that getting Israel to completely leave Lebanon is a top priority that cannot be changed.

He said this while talking about talks with Israel. These talks are about keeping Lebanon safe and free, not giving in to Israel. 

On Resistance and Liberation Day, which marks when Israel left Lebanon in 2000 after being there for 22 years President Aoun made a statement, he said Lebanon is still working to get Israel to fully leave through talks.

He emphasized that negotiations with Israel “will not be an act of surrender,” but a means to safeguard Lebanese territory through state institutions and security forces.

The remarks come amid continued tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border despite a US-mediated ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was later extended into early July. Israeli military operations and airstrikes have continued in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah fighters have also remained engaged in clashes across the border.

Lebanese officials say over 3,100 people have been killed, more than 9,500 hurt and 1.6 million people had to leave their homes since fighting got worse this year during the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah.

Beirut and Tel Aviv have held three rounds of direct talks mediated by the United States since mid-April in an effort to establish a lasting peace arrangement. 

President Aoun has repeatedly maintained that any agreement must include an Israeli withdrawal, a ceasefire, deployment of the Lebanese army along the border, and the return of displaced residents.