Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has rejected Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon and condemned all forms of foreign interference, in an apparent reference to Iran, as a fifth round of Lebanon-Israel talks got under way in Washington.
According to his office, President Aoun said Lebanon would accept nothing less than an end to the Israeli occupation and the removal of foreign tutelage, stressing that national sovereignty remained the country’s only choice and that the Lebanese state was its sole guarantor.
Lebanon hopes decisive talks will restore full sovereignty
He expressed hope that the latest round of negotiations would prove decisive in achieving Lebanon’s objectives, including the full restoration of sovereignty across all its territory.
The Lebanese Presidency said on X that President Aoun chaired a meeting attended by Army Commander General Rudolf Helou and members of the advisory team accompanying the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations in Washington. The meeting reviewed the deliberations of the Lebanese diplomatic and military delegation during the fifth round of talks.
رئيس الجمهورية العماد جوزاف عون ترأس بعد ظهر اليوم اجتماعاً حضره قائد الجيش العماد رودولف هيكل وأعضاء الفريق الاستشاري المواكب للمفاوضات اللبنانية-الأميركية-الإسرائيلية في واشنطن، وذلك لمتابعة مداولات اجتماع الوفد اللبناني الدبلوماسي والعسكري في الجولة الخامسة من المفاوضات.…
— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) June 23, 2026
‘Dialogue only path to restore rights’
President Aoun said recent developments had confirmed the wisdom of pursuing negotiations, terming dialogue as the only internationally recognised path towards securing national goals and restoring rights.
He said Lebanon sought the complete restoration of sovereignty over every part of its land and the extension of state authority throughout the country.
Lebanon demands end to Israeli occupation in south
The president reiterated that Lebanon would accept nothing less than an end to the Israeli occupation in the south and the removal of foreign influence, adding that the Lebanese state alone could protect all citizens, safeguard freedoms and dignity, and ensure justice and security.
Aoun said this vision reflected both Lebanon’s modern history and the will of its people, pledging to uphold it for the benefit of the country and all Lebanese citizens.
