Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says the country will not relinquish any territory in the framework agreement with Israel, adding that the principle of sovereignty extends to decisions made by the state.

According to a statement from his office, Aoun says that the framework does not conflict with Lebanese rights and constants, but “seeks to fully guarantee them”.

“The concept of sovereignty includes the state’s sovereignty in its decision-making, which has decided to proceed with negotiations to reclaim its rights and ensure Israel’s withdrawal from its lands, and negotiations are not betrayal, but rather bloodless diplomatic warfare that does not squander lives in vain,” the statement reads, adding that in this context, respecting the principle of sovereignty means respecting the state’s decision.

“We will not relinquish a single inch of Lebanese land, and let judgment be passed on us through implementation, for the goals we have set before our eyes do not differ from the goals of all Lebanese without exception,” Aoun states.