President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon will continue engaging in negotiations with Israel despite pressure to withdraw, stressing that the country’s objective remains securing an outcome that serves its national interests and ends hostilities with Israel under specific conditions.

Speaking during a meeting with a visiting delegation at the presidential palace, the president emphasized the importance of strengthening state institutions and reaffirmed his belief that Lebanon’s future lies in a sovereign state capable of protecting all its citizens.

“Our choice must remain the state, because it is what protects all of us,” Aoun said. “We must be convinced that we are a sovereign state.”

He also underscored the responsibilities that come with public office, saying leadership positions should be viewed as a duty rather than a privilege.

“The positions that public officials reach are not a luxury; they are a responsibility,” he said. “A person must either be capable of meeting those responsibilities and making decisions commensurate with them, or remain at home.”

Turning to ongoing diplomatic efforts, Aoun said Lebanon would remain committed to negotiations despite external and internal pressure.

“Despite the pressure to withdraw from the negotiations, we will not pull out,” he said. “We will continue on this path until we reach conclusions that serve the interests of our country.”

The president said Lebanon is seeking an end to the state of hostility with Israel based on several key principles, including a full Israeli withdrawal, an end to attacks, the deployment of the Lebanese army, the return of displaced residents, and the release of prisoners.

“We are calling for an end to the state of hostility with Israel on the basis of the following points: Israeli withdrawal, an end to attacks, the deployment of the army, the return of displaced people, and the return of prisoners,” Aoun said.