President Joseph Aoun received a substantial delegation of judges at the Baabda Palace this Monday afternoon, including the president of the Court of Appeal, Judge Fadi Elias, to discuss "the centrality of the role of the judiciary in building the state, whose main pillar is fair governance," he stated, according to remarks relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

"We must now lead the country towards security and build a state, with fair governance based on security and the judiciary being the main pillar in this context," the head of state declared, assuring that he will be "the protector of judges who defend the law and apply its provisions."

The president also asked them "not to oppress the innocent and not to acquit the unjust," before addressing the judges with the following words: "Even if I personally ask you to make a decision contrary to the law, you must have the courage to reject that request, because we must all be subject to the law."

In response to the head of state's remarks, Judge Elias committed, on behalf of the members of the Council of State, to live up to his "aspirations and promises related to the independence and elevation of the judiciary and administration (...) to consolidate the pillars of the rule of law and institutions, to fight corruption, and to preserve the rights of the state and citizens," he stated.