Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has released a statement observing Resistance and Liberation Day, which marks the date in 2000 when Israel ended its 22-year occupation of southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reports.

Aoun noted that this year’s commemoration comes amid Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanese villages and deadly attacks.

“The path to a complete Israeli withdrawal remains a steadfast national demand, one that the Lebanese state is working to achieve through negotiations,” he said.