Lebanon-Israel Deal Doesn't Legitimize Occupation, Says President Aoun

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asserted that a framework agreement signed by the Lebanese government and Israel does not legitimize Israel's occupation of Lebanese territory. Instead, he stated the agreement provides a basis for the Lebanese army to extend state control over its entire territory. Aoun made these remarks on Friday while meeting with delegations from the Lebanese University Association, the Lebanese Medical Association, and the Maronite Order.

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Our sovereign decision to separate the direction of Lebanon's policy from the path of Iran-US relations has become an issue for some parties who are accustomed to being under the control of others who decide and negotiate on our behalf.

During the meeting, Aoun emphasized that the Lebanese government made its decisions sovereignly, independent of the dynamics between Iran and the United States. He suggested that some parties accustomed to external control over Lebanon's decision-making process found this independent direction problematic. "Our sovereign decision to separate the direction of Lebanon's policy from the path of Iran-US relations has become an issue for some parties who are accustomed to being under the control of others who decide and negotiate on our behalf," Aoun said.

The framework agreement, mediated by the United States, was signed last week but does not set a timeline for a full Israeli troop withdrawal. The Lebanese government views it as an initial step toward restoring national sovereignty across all Lebanese territories and allowing displaced citizens to return home. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that at least 4,298 people have died and 12,196 have been injured due to Israeli attacks since March 2. Israel continues to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, including areas held for years and territory captured in the 2023-2024 war.

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The framework formula does not legitimize the ongoing Israeli occupation of Lebanon, but regulates the empowerment of the Lebanese army to expand its control over the entire territory of Lebanon.

Meanwhile, six human rights and press freedom organizations have criticized the agreement, expressing concerns that it could impede efforts to hold parties accountable for alleged war crimes during the conflict in Lebanon. In a joint statement released Friday, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH), Legal Agenda, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the Union of Journalists in Lebanon stated that the agreement potentially "betrays the victims of war crimes" in Lebanon. These organizations highlighted a clause within the agreement.

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betrays the victims of war crimes