BEIRUT, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that he hopes his upcoming visit to the United States could yield positive outcomes for Lebanon regarding its conflict with Israel, read a presidency statement.
"I expect that my upcoming visit to Washington and my meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump will bring positive outcomes for Lebanon ... to find a permanent solution to the cycle of wars and Israeli attacks on our country," Aoun said.
The upcoming negotiations aim to halt Israeli military operations in Lebanon and ultimately end the "Israeli occupation," he said, noting that a majority of the Lebanese people support the approach of negotiations.
The remarks came days after Lebanese newspaper Annahar reported that Aoun is expected to visit Washington before the end of July for talks with Trump at the White House.
As his first official visit to Washington since taking office, Aoun's upcoming trip will focus on advancing the U.S.-brokered framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel, Annahar reported.
On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is expected to take place in Rome next week.
The previous round, held in late June in Washington, ended with the framework agreement aimed at consolidating the ceasefire and reducing tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, citing Public Health Ministry data and field reports, reported Tuesday that about 65 people were killed and up to 170 others injured during the first 10 days since the agreement was signed, with 180-230 Israeli violations recorded. ■
