'The right to know the truth is sacred,' says Aoun before the National Commission for the Disappeared

BEIRUT — President Joseph Aoun affirmed Wednesday, before the National Commission for the Disappeared in Lebanon, that "the right to know the truth is sacred for all families of the disappeared and forcibly deported."

He also called for "cooperation and breaking the wall of silence to help reveal the truth, however difficult it may be."

His remarks come a day after a Syrian judicial delegation visited Beirut to resolve several outstanding issues, including the case of the forcibly disappeared.

Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri announced Tuesday to L’Orient Today that a "first draft of the judicial agreement" between the two countries was ready.

The text specifies that both parties have agreed to "support the follow-up commission on the case of the forcibly disappeared," to "hand over all information in Syria’s possession on security operations in Lebanon under the previous regime, notably political assassinations," and to "search for fugitives from Lebanese justice present in Syria and hand them over to Lebanese authorities."

He also stressed that “the issue of the missing and victims of enforced disappearances goes beyond political and sectarian affiliations.” In this context, President Aoun promised that “the state will do everything in its power to facilitate the Commission’s work and to establish it as an independent body with proper safeguards.”

He also recalled Lebanon’s commitment on this front, “particularly regarding the disclosure of the fate of missing and forcibly detained persons, the collection of information and documents, the creation of a comprehensive database, cooperation with relevant local and international parties, and the provision of psychological, social, and legal support to families.”

According to him, “the importance of the Commission’s work lies in the link between the issue of the missing and the process of reconciliation and civil peace.” Aoun finally called on the Commission members “to live up to the trust placed in them, because the new Lebanon will be built on justice and truth.”