BEIRUT, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that negotiations remain the only viable path forward, reaffirming efforts to end ongoing hostilities with Israel and establish lasting peace in southern Lebanon.

Aoun made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of municipal representatives from southern Lebanon.

According to a statement by the Lebanese presidency, Aoun stressed that hardship in the south inevitably affects all of Lebanon and that the time has come for both the region and the country to find relief.

He urged the army to fully resume its role as the sole authority responsible for security in the south, warning that failure to unite behind state institutions would have broad consequences.

On internal rifts, Aoun warned against sectarian incitement, saying such attempts would serve external adversaries, including Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel continued its attacks across southern Lebanon on Tuesday, and in response, Hezbollah also carried out multiple attacks against Israeli forces.

The developments came despite a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect at midnight between April 16 and 17, following weeks of intensified cross-border fighting linked to the wider regional conflict involving Iran. ■