Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced in a speech addressed to the Lebanese people on Friday evening that “he will no longer allow a single Lebanese person to die, or for the bloodshed of my people and my nation to continue for the sake of the interests of others’ influence or the calculations of nearby or distant power axes.”
In his video message, he stressed, “We all stand before a new stage, which is the stage of transitioning from working on a ceasefire to working on permanent agreements that preserve the rights of our people, the unity of our land, and the sovereignty of our nation,” noting that “we have regained Lebanon’s decision for the first time in nearly half a century, and today we negotiate and decide for ourselves, and we are no longer a piece of paper in anyone’s pocket.”
President Aoun’s speech was broadcast by most television channels operating in Lebanon, with the exception of Al-Manar TV, which is affiliated with Hezbollah.
The Lebanese president stressed that “negotiations do not mean giving up any right,” adding: “I am ready to bear full responsibility for these choices, and I am ready to go wherever necessary to liberate my land, protect my people, and save my country. Our goal in the agreement is clear: the withdrawal of Israel and the extension of state authority.”
He added: “I tell you frankly and confidently that these negotiations are not a sign of weakness, retreat, or concession, but rather a decision stemming from the strength of our belief in our right, our concern for our people, and our responsibility to protect our homeland by all means, especially our refusal to die for anyone other than Lebanon.”
He addressed those he called “gamblers with the fate of Lebanon and the lives of the Lebanese,” saying: “Enough.”
President Aoun began his message by saying: “My fellow citizens, my family and brothers, I address you today from a position of responsibility, and from the heart of the pain we are all experiencing, not with fleeting words, but with a sincere word that carries the concerns of the nation and the pain of its people.”
He added: “The ceasefire achieved was the culmination of everyone’s efforts, the fruit of the sacrifices you made, which awakened the world’s conscience, and the fruit of the steadfastness of those who remained in their homes and villages on the front lines, confirming that we are staying here and will not leave no matter what. It is also the fruit of everyone who hosted or embraced their brother in the homeland, and the tremendous efforts exerted by Lebanese officials with our brothers and friends of Lebanon in the world, through continuous contacts day and night and at all levels. We did not rest, we did not tire, and we did not doubt for a moment our right and our duty.”
Aoun thanked “friendly” President Donald Trump, and also thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Despite the ceasefire announced by the US president on Thursday coming into effect, the Lebanese army recorded several Israeli violations on Friday morning, following a night that also saw Israeli shelling of the towns of Khiam and Dbeibine.
Tags:
asiawest
