Representatives of the political authority in Lebanon have reached a US-brokered deal with the Israeli enemy on late on Friday, sparking protests across Beirut and its southern suburb, Dahiyeh.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that a preliminary framework has been agreed upon between Lebanon and the Zionist entity, calling it an initial step on what he described as a “difficult journey.”
He explained that the deal establishes a legal basis for future talks between the two sides, stressing that this is the beginning of the beginning,” adding that “there is still a long road ahead for Lebanon and Israel.”
Lebanese Ambassador Nada Moawad and her Israeli counterpart Yechiel Leiter signed the trilateral document with the US at the State Department in Washington.
In his first comment on the framework agreement, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun claimed it marks the beginning of a process aimed at “building on the sacrifices of the Lebanese people and enabling their return to fully liberated land.”
Aoun, Netanyahu Remarks
Aoun hailed the US administration “for the efforts it made in hosting and sponsoring the negotiations and supporting Lebanon’s position,” vowing “to continue working until we fully accomplish what we have sworn to achieve.”
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement is a “major achievement” for the occupation, calling it a “blow to Iran,” which he said was trying to force Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon by force.
Additionally, Netanyahu stated that ‘Israel’ would not allow Lebanese residents or Hezbollah to return to the so-called “security zone” which is under Israeli occupation. He said Israeli forces would remain in the areas of southern Lebanon until “Hezbollah is disarmed.”
Protests in Beirut
Shortly after the so-called framework agreement was announced, protesters rallied across the capital and Dahiyeh.
Demonstrators chanted vehement anti-Israeli slogans, declaring outright rejection of any normalization with the Israeli regime, which has killed more than 4,200 people in just the past four months.
Local media reported people blocked roads across Dahiyeh, with protesters riding motorbikes through Beirut.
BREAKING | Protests break out across Lebanon against the new Lebanese-Israel framework agreement. pic.twitter.com/CqnjOHhmV3
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Source: Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)