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Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Recci said the country's decisions must be made only by the Lebanese state, as the fifth round of direct, U.S.-mediated negotiations with Israel began Tuesday in Washington, DC
The latest round of talks, covering both security and political issues, got underway at the U.S. State Department headquarters in the U.S. capital, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.
No further details were immediately released regarding the agenda or participants in the discussions.
The talks are expected to address several issues, including making the ceasefire permanent, Israel's withdrawal from occupied areas, border security and prisoners.
Recci said the negotiation process with Israel is the only way to ensure stability and establish state sovereignty across Lebanon.
In a post on X, Recci said he held a long meeting in Amman, Jordan, with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
During the meeting, he said he stressed that the negotiation process with Israel was the only way to establish stability and state authority throughout the country.
Recci also repeated that the Lebanon file should be kept separate from the process between the United States and Iran.
"Decisions regarding Lebanon are taken only by the Lebanese state," Recci said.
He also emphasized the importance of Lebanon participating as a genuine partner in any regional process discussing the future of the region.
Recci said Lebanon requested effective European Union support for ensuring the return of Syrians to their country.
Lebanon had reached the limit of its capacity to carry that burden, he said.
His remarks came as Beirut continued direct negotiations with Israel under U.S. mediation.
The U.S. State Department announced Friday that a new round of direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations would be held in Washington, DC, on June 23-25.
The latest round marks the fifth session of talks between Lebanon and Israel, following four previous rounds that began in April as part of a process aimed at reaching an agreement between the two sides.
The talks come after the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding entered into force on June 18, following its electronic signing by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The agreement includes a provision committing the parties to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 4,100 people and injured over 12,000 others since March 2, according to official Lebanese figures.
Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war.
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