President Joseph Aoun said Saturday evening the importance of the joint project that the Lebanese must work on of building a "strong state," a project that no other agenda should supplant. The head of state made these remarks in a speech during an iftar at Dar el-Fatwa, the highest Sunni authority in Lebanon, during which the mufti of Lebanon Abdel Latif Derian stated that to "steer a ship on the brink of sinking" like Lebanon, Aoun "has the entire Lebanese people" by his side.

Handshakes and sidelined talks

The main party leaders and Lebanese dignitaries, as well as numerous ambassadors, were present at this event, during which reunions were notably observed between leaders known for their animosity, including a handshake between Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, who rarely leaves his home in Maarab, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri or former President Michel Aoun. Images of these gatherings also show a conversation between Berri and Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai.

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Noting in his speech that this year the Ramadan fast for Muslims coincides with Lent for various Christian communities, Aoun stressed the importance "of political participation of all segments of Lebanese society, without marginalization or exclusion of any component." This political participation by all is based, according to him, on the "respect of the Constitution and the National Pact," an unwritten agreement between different communities, which notably provides for the distribution of state responsibility positions among the confessions. These agreements must be respected "in their true and legal interpretation, not a political, confessionary, sectarian or opportunistic interpretation," said Aoun, who stressed that if the state "ensures to protect diversity, it is primarily committed to preserving the existence of the nation and the people."

"No project can supplant that of a strong, capable, and just state, whose construction requires concerted efforts from all," he stated.

Withdrawal of the occupier and release of detainees

Regarding the cease-fire, which entered into force at the end of November 2024 after two months of full-scale war between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, and 11 months of cross-border clashes, the head of state emphasized that "the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the cease-fire agreement appears to be a central issue."

"Lebanon cannot know stability and prosperity as long as tensions persist at its southern border," he stated, highlighting "the withdrawal of the Israeli occupier" from Lebanese territory, where the Israeli army still occupies five positions north of the Blue Line, and "the return of prisoners."

Last week, Israel released five Lebanese detainees, including a soldier captured during the last war, in a "gesture" to Aoun, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's services. According to al-Akhbar, about 15 people remain detained in Israel, including Hezbollah fighters and civilians.

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The president also called on the international community to "assume its responsibilities by respecting its guarantees and commitments, and by translating its support for the state into concrete actions."

Aoun, 'man of difficult missions'

Derian addressed Aoun, stating that "steering a ship on the brink of sinking is not an easy task," but thanks to the officials in power, he envisioned "an era of recovery and reforms."

"We know, Mr. President, that you are known as the man of difficult missions, and in this noble task that you lead today alongside the government and its head Nawaf Salam, you will not be alone and should not be," stated the dignitary. "The entire Lebanese people are by your side and support you."

"We know that the return of Lebanon to its former prosperity and brilliance is not an easy task, but it is not an impossible mission either. The Lebanese will, when united, overcome obstacles," Derian added.