President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon announced progress in the negotiations and stressed that Israel will not be allowed to maintain a military presence in any part of Lebanese territory, Al Arabiya reports.

Speaking to a delegation from the Maronite institute for the propagation of the faith, Aoun noted that continued negotiations are preferable to the consequences of the “devastating war” against Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese president, the signing of the framework agreement has managed to limit the scope of Israeli strikes.

“There is no disagreement among the Lebanese on the goals,” Aoun said, citing—among them—the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, the return of prisoners, and the reconstruction of devastated areas of Lebanon.

“Ultimately, we [i.e. Lebanon] will not allow Israel to remain in any part of our land, not even an inch,” Aoun stressed.

He added that the people of southern Lebanon should be given the opportunity to live in stable conditions, rather than continue to face wars being waged in their name, but in the interests of "non-Lebanese goals."

“My goal today is to restore the [Lebanese] state, whatever the cost,” the Lebanese president said.