Washington, June 26 (QNA) – Lebanon has described a US-brokered framework agreement with Israel as a first step towards restoring its sovereignty and enabling the return of displaced residents, following negotiations held in Washington.

Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Moawad, said the signing followed a fifth round of direct talks and an arduous and lengthy meeting, praising US efforts in facilitating the process.

A Lebanese official source told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Beirut had secured the inclusion of key demands in the text of the agreement, most notably a clear reference to a process leading to a full Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territory under a phased implementation mechanism to be agreed in later stages.

The source said the Lebanese delegation rejected any wording that would legitimize or allow continued occupation of Lebanese land, stressing that the objective of the agreement is to achieve security and stability along the country’s southern border.

It added that the plan includes the establishment of two pilot zones as a starting point for implementation, covering areas that include both occupied and unoccupied Lebanese territory, with responsibility to be gradually transferred to the Lebanese army.

The zones identified are Zoetir East and Zoetir West in southern Lebanon, where the Lebanese army would be deployed as part of the implementation plan.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier announced that Lebanon and Israel had reached a framework agreement laying the groundwork for a framework for lasting peace and security. (QNA)