President Joseph Aoun to a delegation of MPs and municipal heads in the Jezzine district:
The steadfastness of southerners in their areas and villages, and their reception of displaced people who came from neighboring villages and towns, is a reflection of the extent of Lebanese unity and their solidarity with one another, which constitutes a source of strength, awareness, and faith in this country.
We continue to work with international bodies and social and humanitarian institutions to increase the aid allocated to southerners, both the displaced among them and their hosts.
There is a need for concerted efforts among the army, the security forces, municipalities, and residents to consolidate security stability and avert the prospect of self-security, which carries many risks, at a time when the state is working to restore security and end the war.
Diplomacy is war without bloodshed, whereas war is bloodshed, destruction, and ruin. Therefore, the decision was made to engage in negotiations, which take place between adversaries, while insisting on preserving rights, and above all first stopping the attacks, securing an Israeli withdrawal, and the return of prisoners, in order to then discuss peace after long decades and years of wars, death, and destruction.
Negotiations do not mean concession or surrender; rather, they are meant to solve problems. It is important for the Lebanese to stand by their state in this particular circumstance, as they are weary of these wars.
It is my duty and responsibility to do everything necessary to achieve security and peace for Lebanon.
