"This agreement is null and void, and the provisions of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding must be applied." Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, in a statement reported by Al Jazeera, rejected the framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, reached in the fifth round of negotiations and after five days of intense discussions.
"The Washington framework agreement is a humiliation, a disgrace, and a renunciation of sovereignty," Qassem says. "So we say to the Lebanese authorities: it's time for you to retreat from your mistakes, which are destroying Lebanon. We have not abandoned the field under the most difficult circumstances, and we will not abandon it."
Several points remain unresolved, such as the disarmament of Hezbollah and the withdrawal of IDF forces from the south of the country.
"Israel and Lebanon affirm the right of each state to exist in peace and their mutual desire to live in security as sovereign neighboring states," states the first point of the agreement between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States, the text of which was released by the U.S. State Department. " Israel and Lebanon declare their intention to definitively end the conflict, to formally end any state of war between them. Both countries affirm their intention to resolve these issues as sovereign states through direct bilateral negotiations, with the mediation and support of the United States ."
Specifically, the Lebanese Armed Forces will restore "effective sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory, subject to the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups and the dismantling of associated infrastructure," allowing the Israeli IDF to "progressively withdraw from Lebanese territory." Israel, for its part, emphasizes that the military actions " are solely a consequence of the attacks, threats, and hostile intentions of non-state armed groups, particularly Hezbollah," and "reiterates that the cessation of this threat, through the disarmament and dismantling of such groups throughout Lebanon and further security arrangements to be agreed upon between the two countries, will eliminate any future need for IDF military action or presence."
(Unioneonline)