Aoun calls to 'put Lebanon’s interests above any other consideration'

Following the strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation against Israel, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a series of talks with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Public Works Minister Fayez Rassamny, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, and Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal to discuss the possible repercussions of the conflict for Lebanon, according to a statement posted on the presidency’s X account.

President Aoun stressed “the need to be prepared and to coordinate efforts to protect Lebanon.” He said the delicate phase the country is currently experiencing requires everyone to be “fully committed to national responsibility and to placing the higher interests of Lebanon and the Lebanese people above any other consideration.”

He also emphasized that “shielding Lebanon from the catastrophes and horrors of external conflicts, as well as safeguarding its sovereignty, security and stability, remains an absolute priority.” He called for “uniting efforts and strengthening internal solidarity” to confront the looming challenges and prevent any spillover onto Lebanese territory and its people. He added that “the state, with all its institutions, will remain the primary guarantor of security, stability and the protection of all citizens and the entire territory.”

Earlier, a source close to Ain al-Tineh told L’Orient-Le Jour that Hezbollah “will not embark on any adventure under these circumstances.”

For his part, Lebanese Forces spokesperson Charles Jabbour told L’OLJ that “the most important thing right now is to take all necessary measures to keep Lebanon completely out of the war.”