Lebanese President Demands Complete Israeli Withdrawal as Fifth Round of Negotiations Begins

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared on June 23 that his government will not accept any negotiated outcome that falls short of a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the full restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty. Speaking after receiving a briefing from the Lebanese delegation participating in the fifth round of Lebanese-U.S.-Israeli talks in Washington, Aoun emphasized that Lebanon seeks to end not only Israeli occupation but also external influences on its territory. He stated that negotiations represent the only legitimate path to achieve national goals and restore Lebanon's rights.

Aoun met with Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal and members of the advisory team accompanying the delegation in Washington. According to the Lebanese presidency, the meeting reviewed outcomes from the fifth round of negotiations, which is scheduled for June 23-25. The Lebanese delegation, led by diplomat Simon Karam, is expected to present a detailed schedule for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern regions in exchange for Lebanon's commitment to transform the area south of the Litani River into a safe and weapons-free zone.

On the same day, Aoun held telephone conversations with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss recent developments in Lebanon and progress from parallel U.S.-Iran talks held in Switzerland. Vance and Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for the Lebanese government's efforts to extend legitimate state authority across all Lebanese territory and strengthen national sovereignty through the Lebanese Army and security forces. They also stressed Washington's commitment to implementing understandings reached during the Switzerland meetings, including the establishment of a joint U.S.-Lebanon-Iran mechanism to consolidate the ceasefire and monitor implementation of related measures.

These negotiations occur within the framework of a broader regional settlement. Last week, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding declaring an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, with a commitment to negotiate and achieve a final peace agreement within 60 days. U.S. and Iranian negotiators began their direct talks on Sunday at the Buergenstock resort in Switzerland under Qatari and Pakistani mediation, marking the first such discussions since the MoU signing.

Aoun expressed confidence that recent developments have validated Lebanon's decision to pursue negotiations as the correct approach to achieve national objectives. He stressed that the Lebanese state remains the sole guarantor of security, freedoms, and rights for all citizens, and reiterated Lebanon's commitment to regaining full sovereignty over every inch of its territory.