President Joseph Aoun, accompanied by his wife, unveiling a commemorative plaque at Martyrs' Square in downtown Beirut on Friday, June 20, 2025. (Credit: NNA)
President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that "there will be no war," during the inauguration of a project at Martyrs' Square in the presence of First Lady Neemat Aoun.
This project, titled "Beirut, Heartbeat of Life," sponsored by the CEO of MTV, Michel Murr, and realized with various partners, aims to rehabilitate and illuminate this emblematic square in downtown Beirut.
The president was asked by a journalist about the possibility of Lebanon entering a new war.
"There will be no war, who can bear a new war and what would be the cost of this war?" he replied.
Lebanon is emerging from a destructive war between Hezbollah and Israel, which officially ended on Nov. 27, 2024, with a cease-fire agreement. Despite this, Israeli violations are daily, and several bombings were on Friday in southern Lebanon.
So far, Hezbollah has not responded to Israeli attacks, but the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, following Israeli attacks on Iranian territory on June 13, could change the situation. Although considerably weakened by the last war, the party could decide to involve Lebanon in the ongoing regional conflict, some fear, if Iran requests it. A brief statement by Hezbollah's Secretary-General Naim Qassem in a statement on Friday, "We are not neutral," has already sparked controversy.
In his short speech at Martyrs' Square on Friday, the president argued "the will to live, which remains the strongest in Lebanon."
"Our message is that Beirut will remain full of life," he added. "We are working to build Lebanon and thank all those who contributed to this national project. Lebanon will remain an oasis of peace and civilization in the heart of the Middle East."
Aoun and his wife, along with Michel Murr, then inaugurated the illumination of the square with a symbolic gesture by pressing a button.