Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has released a statement observing Resistance and Liberation Day, which marks the date in 2000 when Israel ended its 22-year occupation of southern Lebanon.

Aoun noted that this year’s commemoration comes amid Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanese villages and deadly attacks.

“The path to a complete Israeli withdrawal remains a steadfast national demand, one that the Lebanese state is working to achieve through negotiations,” he said, according to Al Jazeera.

“These negotiations will not be concessions or surrenders, but rather a reaffirmation of Lebanon’s exclusive right to protect its land and sovereignty and extend its authority through its army and legitimate security forces.”

The first direct, ambassadorial-level negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in over three decades took place in Washington in April this year, after which U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Hezbollah criticized the Lebanese government for initiating direct negotiations with Israel.