BEIRUT, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday reiterated Lebanon's rejection of the continued Israeli occupation of its territory, stressing that restoring full national sovereignty remains a top priority as a new round of Lebanese-U.S.-Israeli negotiations gets underway.
"We will accept nothing less than the end of the Israeli occupation and the elimination of all forms of external tutelage, because our only choice is national sovereignty," Aoun said during a meeting with Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal and members of the advisory team accompanying the Lebanese delegation participating in talks in Washington.
According to a statement released by Lebanon's presidency, the meeting reviewed the outcomes of the fifth round of negotiations held by the Lebanese diplomatic and military delegation.
Aoun said recent developments had validated Lebanon's decision to pursue negotiations, expressing hope that the new round of talks would help achieve the country's objectives and restore its rights.
"Our choice to engage in negotiations has proven correct because it is the only accepted way worldwide to achieve national goals and reclaim rights," he said.
Aoun also stressed that the Lebanese state remains the sole guarantor of security, freedoms, and rights for all citizens.
Also on Tuesday, Aoun received a phone call from U.S. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon and the post-Switzerland talks phase.
According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, Vance and Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for the Lebanese president and government's efforts to extend the authority of the legitimate state 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 mechanism involving the United States, Lebanon, and Iran to help consolidate the ceasefire in Lebanon and monitor the implementation of related measures.
Arrangements concerning the mechanism's structure and operational framework are currently under study, they said.
U.S. and Iranian negotiators, under Qatari and Pakistani mediation, began their talks on Sunday at the Buergenstock mountain resort in central Switzerland, marking the first direct talks between the two sides since the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) last week.
According to the MoU, the United States and Iran declare an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and commit to negotiating and achieving the final peace agreement in maximum 60 days. ■
