The President of the Lebanese Republic, Joseph Aoun, presiding a security meeting in Baabda on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (Credit: X account of the Lebanese presidency/@LBpresidency
President of the Republic Joseph Aoun insisted Wednesday, during a security meeting in Baabda attended by the main leaders of Lebanon's military and security agencies, on the importance of "the unity of the Lebanese" and "rejecting sectarian incitement," the Lebanese presidency reported on X.
"Political discourse in the country must be national, emphasizing the unity of the Lebanese, solidarity, and rejection of division, sectarian incitement and discord," Mr. Aoun pleaded. He also called for "the spirit of this discourse to be reflected in the media and on social media, given the important role they play in these circumstances" amid military escalation between Hezbollah and Israel. President Aoun argued that "this phase requires meticulous follow-up and national responsibility, away from personal interests and calculations."
Mr. Aoun also emphasized the need to "set up more reception centers for people forcibly displaced from their towns and villages," now numbering more than a million, and to "monitor prices and fight speculation."
The security officials presented the "available reports" on Israeli attacks in Lebanon and their "consequences in terms of deaths and injuries, population displacement, and destruction of property."
The participants also discussed the situation at the Lebanese-Syrian border and ongoing coordination with Syrian authorities to "preserve stability," according to the Lebanese presidency. According to our information, Syria under Ahmed al-Sharaa has refused to intervene in Lebanon against Hezbollah, despite pressure from the United States and Israel. The issue of Syrian refugees was addressed, "after about one hundred thousand of them returned to Syria, as well as the facilities offered by General Security," the Lebanese presidency reported.
This meeting took place as the Israeli army carried out deadly strikes Wednesday morning on the central Beirut neighborhoods of Zoqaq al-Blat, Basta and Bashoura, and relentlessly targeted south Lebanon from Tuesday night into Wednesday. Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least 912 people, including 111 children, since March 2, according to figures updated on March 17. The Israeli army, said it killed about 400 Hezbollah fighters.
'Lebanon did not start this war'
Following a meeting with the head of state at Baabda Palace, Kamal Chehadeh, Minister for the Displaced and Minister of State for Technology Affairs, said there was “full coordination within the Council of Ministers, across all ministries and agencies, to assist the displaced and all those affected by the war,” according to a statement relayed on the Lebanese presidency’s X account.
He added that “Lebanon did not start this war,” which “was imposed on it,” and stressed that “political and diplomatic efforts are ongoing and will not stop.” He noted that the president had underlined the need to pursue these efforts in parallel with the government’s actions.
More than two weeks into the war in Lebanon, the diplomatic track remains stalled. In particular, it has not yet been possible to appoint a Shiite representative to the Lebanese delegation for potential talks with Israel, due to opposition from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, despite U.S. requests to that effect.
The government discusses the issue of the displaced
The issue of the displaced “took up a large part of the discussions” during the daily government meeting, said Information Minister Paul Morcos, in a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized “the importance of the visits carried out by ministers to shelters for the displaced, especially with the approach of Eid al-Fitr [marking the end of Ramadan which falls on Thursday and Friday], in order to ensure the delivery of aid and to relay the needs observed on the ground,” according to Mr. Morcos.
“Security plans for the holiday period were also discussed in order to prevent any disruption to internal security,” the minister added.
