The leader of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah on Saturday described the framework agreement signed the previous day for a "lasting peace" between Lebanon and Israel under the auspices of the United States as a "grave mistake", rejecting it as "null and void".

"The Washington framework agreement is humiliating, shameful, and represents an abandonment of sovereignty," Naim Qassem said in a statement.

He accused the Lebanese authorities of "legitimizing the continuation of the (Israeli) occupation for many years, which could even lead to the annexation of these lands."

"This agreement is null and void, and it is the provisions of the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding that must be applied," added the head of the Shiite armed movement, referring to the text signed on June 17 by Washington and Tehran which provides for, following pressure from Iran, the end of hostilities in Lebanon.

"The agreement is humiliating and shameful," echoed Ahmad Shamas, a Lebanese man interviewed Saturday by AFP in the Hamra district, in the western part of Beirut.

Hussam Beiruiti, another resident of the capital, says he is "neutral on the issue," given the lack of any other solution. But "I don't think it will stop the Israeli aggression (...) let's wait and see what the agreement leads to," he says.

Following his announcement, Hezbollah supporters demonstrated on Friday in the streets of Beirut, particularly in neighborhoods near Parliament and along a road leading to the airport, and blocked at least one road with burning tires, according to the official news agency ANI.

Lebanon was drawn into the war on March 2 after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in support of Iran, which was being targeted by an Israeli-American offensive.

Israeli strike

Israel has retaliated with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, where its troops occupy large swathes of territory and carry out extensive destruction of homes and other buildings.

A ceasefire agreed on April 17 did not end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, but the violence has decreased since the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding.

The Israeli army, however, continued its strikes, and on Saturday announced that it had bombed "suspected terrorists" in the southern region of Nabatiyeh, adding that it was "still assessing" the results of this operation.

The Israeli government also assures that its army will remain in Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, the framework agreement providing for the "verified disarmament of non-state armed groups".

The text also provides for the gradual transfer of control of "pilot zones" in the south of the country to the Lebanese army - starting with two - with the aim of eventually allowing the return of civilians.

The text, signed after five negotiation sessions in Washington, is a "first step" towards restoring Lebanon's sovereignty, without "occupation", "subordination", or "tutelage", President Joseph Aoun said on Friday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed it as a "crucial" step towards de-escalation in the region.

"The next key steps are the disarmament of non-state groups and the preservation of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she stressed on X, assuring that the EU stood ready to "support" this path towards "sustainable regional stability."

AFP