BEIRUT/JERUSALEM - Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Saturday accused the Lebanese authorities of legitimizing Israel's occupation through a newly announced framework agreement with Israel, describing the deal as a "grave blunder" and a surrender of Lebanon's sovereignty.

In a statement, Qassem said the agreement granted Israel political concessions without securing a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, arguing that it effectively legitimizes the continued occupation of parts of southern Lebanon and could prolong it for years.

He criticized the agreement for linking an Israeli withdrawal to the disarmament of Hezbollah across Lebanon, calling the condition "extremely dangerous" and saying it crossed "all red lines."

ALSO READ: Katz: Israel military to remain in Lebanon even if US demands withdrawal

Qassem argued that the framework agreement replaced what he described as stronger guarantees contained in an earlier US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU), which he claimed called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, guaranteed Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and envisaged negotiations leading to a final agreement within 60 days.

Qassem said Hezbollah considered the framework agreement "null and void" and urged the Lebanese authorities to reverse course and instead implement what he described as the provisions of the US-Iran MoU.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel and Lebanon have reached a US-brokered framework agreement for "lasting peace and security."

The framework agreement, signed at the end of the latest round of ambassador-level talks in Washington, DC on Friday, called again for the implementation of a fragile ceasefire between the two Mideast nations.

Lebanese president to implement framework agreement

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun pledged that the Lebanese state would assume its responsibilities in implementing the framework agreement during a phone call with US President Donald Trump late Saturday, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.

Aoun also expressed hope that the United States would help prevent violations of the agreement and ensure that all commitments reached under the deal are fulfilled, particularly by pressing Israel to withdraw from the areas it occupies in southern Lebanon to facilitate the deployment of the Lebanese army up to the internationally recognized border.

ALSO READ: Lebanese leader reaffirms rejection of Israeli occupation as new talks begin

Trump reaffirmed Washington's support for Lebanon and its people, pledging to work toward implementing the deal and restoring security and stability in the country.

The US president said Washington would support Lebanon's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as the extension of state authority through its armed forces across the country's entire territory.

1 killed, 2 injured in Israeli drone strike

Also on Saturday, one person was killed and two others injured in an Israeli drone strike targeting the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon, Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said.

The ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said in a statement that the strike hit the Farah Amusement Park junction in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, leaving one dead and two others wounded.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the attack was carried out by an Israeli drone.

The strike came a day after Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered framework agreement in Washington aimed at achieving lasting peace and security and laying the groundwork for a broader peace process. Despite the agreement, Israeli strikes and military operations have continued in southern Lebanon.

According to the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 4,246 people and injured 12,190 others.

Netanyahu: Framework agreement paves way for peace deal

In Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the framework agreement signed Friday between Israel and Lebanon paves the way to ending the conflict and eventually reaching a peace agreement between the two countries.

Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said that "this agreement strengthens Israel and Lebanon, and weakens Iran and Hezbollah. This is a sign of things to come."

READ MORE: Israel strikes S. Lebanon despite Iran-US deal, killing 1, injuring journalist

He added that under the agreement, the United States and Lebanon recognize Israel's right to maintain the "security zone" in southern Lebanon as long as it is necessary for Israel's security.

Israeli military ordered to prepare for extended stay in S. Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Saturday that he and Netanyahu had instructed the Israeli military to prepare for an extended stay in the "security zone" in southern Lebanon.

In a statement, Katz described the framework agreement signed on Friday between the United States, Israel and Lebanon as a "historic event" and an important political and security achievement for Israel.

He said the agreement could help shape a new and safer reality along Israel's northern border and in Lebanon for the first time in decades, and strengthen the security of Israeli citizens over time.