Aoun: No Turning Back from the Negotiation Track... National Unity and the Army Are the Pillars of Stability

President Joseph Aoun received a delegation from the “Strong Republic” bloc headed by MP Strida Geagea, stressing the importance of the current phase and the need for Lebanese unity in confronting challenges.

At the start of the meeting, President Aoun said: “The current circumstances are delicate and require all of us to strengthen national unity and not allow anything to negatively affect it.”

He added: “With our national decision and our unity, we can confront all challenges. All the fabricated negative atmosphere surrounding strife in Lebanon has no roots, and I have personally resolved not to respond to abuse and unjustified criticism, because it does not even reflect the environment from which it comes.”

He stressed the pivotal role of official institutions, saying: “The most important thing Lebanese parties and movements can do is rally around the army, the security institutions, and state institutions, which form the foundation of the nation.”

Regarding the political file and negotiations, President Aoun indicated that the coming phase would witness important diplomatic moves, adding:

“As for the negotiation track, preparatory talks are expected with Lebanon’s ambassador in Washington in the coming days. This will be the third meeting paving the way for the start of negotiations, which are under American sponsorship. This is an important achievement for Lebanon, which enjoys personal attention from US President Donald Trump, and it is a major opportunity for Lebanon that we must make use of.”

He continued: “We are ready to accelerate the pace of negotiations to the extent that the United States is working toward that. In the end, there is no turning back from the negotiation track because we have no other choice, and it serves all Lebanese and does not target any segment or group. The suffering affects everyone without exception, and all Lebanese are weary of wars and their catastrophic consequences.”

President Aoun concluded by defining the goals of any negotiation track, saying: “The objectives set for any negotiation track are based on an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory and the return of prisoners—rights that Lebanon has been demanding for years.”

In a separate context, President Aoun this afternoon reviewed with Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal the security situation in the country in general, and in the south in particular, in light of the continuing escalation. The discussion also addressed the tasks being carried out by the army in various Lebanese regions as part of the measures taken to preserve security and stability in the country.