President Joseph Aoun addressed the American administration, headed by President Donald Trump, with thanks for the efforts made in hosting and sponsoring the negotiations and supporting Lebanon’s position in reaching the step announced today. He also thanked all the brotherly and friendly countries that accompanied us during these difficult negotiations, supporting the positions of the Lebanese state, and declaring all their keenness for Lebanon’s independence, peace and prosperity. He also extended his appreciation to the Lebanese negotiating team, including diplomats and military personnel, in Washington and Beirut, for their support, moment by moment, word by word, to accomplish what we consider to be a first step on the path to Lebanon restoring its state’s sovereignty over its territories in full, without a single iota of deficiency. Thanks remain due to all the Lebanese, who sacrificed, persevered and faced the harshest conditions of aggression, destruction and displacement, and showed the most honorable embrace of each other and the most wonderful national solidarity in the most difficult times, as one people under one banner that will never be shaded by anyone else. The framework agreement that was signed today is the first way to make their sacrifices fruitful, so that they can return to their entire liberated land, and to their inevitably long-lived homes, full of them and their national consciousness, as free and dignified, with their heads held high, under the sovereignty of a Lebanese state that has no partner in its sovereignty over its land and its people. This is what we swore to embody. We swear to continue working until it is completely completed. There will be no more occupation, no prisoners, no subordination, no guardianship. This is what every free, responsible and honorable Lebanese agrees upon. This is our pledge to them and our duty towards them.