Aoun: “As President of the Republic, it is my duty to protect my country and my people and to end the war and destruction”

President Joseph Aoun addressed ministers at the start of the Cabinet session, saying:

The contacts made with the aim of halting the military escalation, particularly with US President Donald Trump and his Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as the outcome of the first meeting at the US State Department — of which Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam were briefed — focused on securing a ceasefire and launching a negotiating track based on ending the state of war with Israel, its withdrawal from the territories it occupies, the return of prisoners, the deployment of the army up to the international border, and discussing the outstanding points regarding the Blue Line. Some media outlets have handled this file inaccurately and reported incorrect information, and contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was never under consideration for me at all.

He added: "This evening, a meeting will be held in Washington to extend the ceasefire, and it will also include halting the destruction of homes and attacks on civilians, places of worship, journalists, and the medical and educational sectors. This is what Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, will carry to the meeting, and she will do everything in her power to secure these provisions."

He pointed out that: "The positive aspect lies in the fact that, for the first time, the Lebanon file is returning to the American table — specifically to the table of the Secretary of State, who also serves as National Security Adviser — and this opens the door for us, if matters proceed as they should, in terms of restoring the economy, reconstruction, and more."

He continued: "I hope to be able to visit Washington and hold a meeting with President Trump to present to him the reality of the situation in Lebanon in detail. A phone call is not enough for such a matter or to reach an understanding. But he was sympathetic toward Lebanon and declared that he loves this country, and that is what we must build on for the future."

He went on: We thank the brotherly and friendly countries for the humanitarian, medical, and relief assistance they have sent and continue to send to ease the suffering of the displaced.

He stressed, saying: "We will work to address the violations of the ceasefire that have occurred through the meeting that will be held today in Washington."

He added: "As President of the Republic, I am responsible toward my country and my people, and I will use any means capable of ending the war and destruction. I meet many Lebanese, including the families of the State Security martyrs who were killed at the Nabatieh Serail, and they insist that they are exhausted and want an end to wars that lead nowhere and do not achieve lasting stability."

He concluded by saying: "I place before you the possibility of raising the transportation allowance for public sector employees, given the rise in oil prices due to the current developments, in addition to granting them a one-time exceptional assistance payment."