In his inaugural speech, President of the Republic Joseph Aoun expressed profound gratitude for the honor of being elected, calling it "the greatest medal" he could receive from the Lebanese parliament.
Reflecting on Lebanon’s enduring history, Aoun emphasized the nation’s resilience and unity.
"Lebanon is as old as history itself. Our strength lies in our courage and our ability to adapt. No matter our differences, in times of crisis, we embrace one another. If one of us falls, we all fall,” the newly elected President said.
Aoun further acknowledged the need for change in Lebanon's political system.
"We must change the political performance in Lebanon. My mandate begins today, and I pledge to serve all Lebanese, wherever they are, as the first servant of the country, upholding the national pact and practicing the full powers of the presidency as an impartial mediator between institutions."
President Aoun went on to underscore the importance of legal and judicial reform.
"If we want to build a nation, we must all be under the rule of law and the judiciary,” he said.
“Interference in the judiciary is forbidden, and there will be no immunity for criminals or corrupt individuals. There is no place for mafias, drug trafficking, or money laundering in Lebanon,” the President concluded.
Moreover, President Aoun emphasized that his term would focus on cooperation with the new government to pass a law ensuring judicial independence. He also committed to challenging any laws that violate the constitution.
Aoun further pledged to call for parliamentary consultations to swiftly select a prime minister who would be a partner rather than an adversary. He also announced plans to rotate senior government positions and restructure the public administration.
Additionally, Aoun vowed to assert the state's right to maintain a monopoly on the possession of weapons and expressed his intention to invest in the military to secure Lebanon's borders, particularly in the south and in the delimitation of the eastern and northern borders.
President Aoun underscored the importance of fighting terrorism, enforcing international resolutions, and preventing Israeli aggression. He also affirmed his commitment to strengthening security forces as a crucial means of ensuring law and order, and promised to develop a comprehensive defense strategy involving diplomatic, economic, and military aspects to enable Lebanon to expel Israeli occupation and deter further attacks.
On the domestic front, Aoun highlighted the need to rebuild the damage caused by Israeli aggression in southern Lebanon, the southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and across the country. He reiterated that the martyrs are a source of national pride and that Lebanese prisoners are a responsibility the nation must carry.
Furthermore, Aoun called for a strategic shift in Lebanon’s foreign relations, urging the country to focus on strengthening ties with the outside world, rather than relying on foreign powers to gain an advantage over each other internally.
Aoun reiterated his opposition to the settlement of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and pledged to ensure the security of refugee camps. He also announced plans for a policy of positive neutrality and aimed to promote Lebanese products and industries while attracting tourists.
Aoun finally called for serious, respectful dialogue with Syria to address unresolved issues, particularly those related to missing persons and Syrian refugees.
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