Lebanese President Aoun: Not a single grain of the country's soil will be sacrificed

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made significant statements regarding the 10-day ceasefire process that has come into effect between Israel and Lebanon. In a video address to the Lebanese people, Aoun said, "Today, I speak to you from a position of responsibility and from the very heart of the pain we all share; I speak not with temporary words, but with a sincere message that carries the burden of the country and the suffering of its people."

Emphasizing the resilience of the Lebanese people in the face of Israeli attacks, Aoun delivered messages regarding his country's future and hopes without explicitly naming Israel, Iran, or Hezbollah. Aoun stated, "What has been achieved in silencing the guns is the result of everyone's efforts. This is the fruit of the sacrifices you have made. It has stirred the conscience of the world. It is also the work of those who stood tall in their homes and villages on the front lines. They declared to the world: 'We are here, and no matter what happens, we will not leave.'"

Thanks to Trump and Gulf countries

Aoun extended his gratitude to US President Donald Trump and the Gulf countries for their assistance in achieving the ceasefire. Aoun stated, "This is a thank you that begins with our friend, US President Donald Trump, and extends to all our Arab brothers, especially Saudi Arabia. We trust in their friendship. We are confident that we will complete what we started yesterday and achieve the results we aim for."

"We believe we will save Lebanon"

The Lebanese President confirmed his expectations that the process to achieve a lasting peace in the region would be challenging, stating, "Now we are all on the threshold of a new phase. This is a transition from the effort to silence the guns to the phase of working on permanent agreements that will protect our people's rights, the unity of our land, and the sovereignty of our country. In this phase, as in the previous ones, we believe that we will save Lebanon. At the same time, we are aware that we will be exposed to all kinds of attacks."

Aoun said, "Today, we are finally negotiating for ourselves. We are making our own decisions. We are no longer a card in anyone's pocket. We will never again be anyone's battlefield."

Regarding the negotiation process with Israel, the Lebanese President stated, "Negotiations are not a sign of weakness, a retreat, or a concession. On the contrary, this decision stems from the strength of our belief in our rights, our sense of responsibility toward our people, and our duty to protect our country by all means. It stems, in particular, from our refusal to die for anyone other than Lebanon."

Aoun added, "Negotiations do not and will never mean abandoning any right, giving up any principle, or compromising the sovereignty of this country. We have lost thousands of Lebanese. From this day forward, I will not allow another single Lebanese to die. I will not allow the shedding of blood from my family and my people, this bleeding, to continue for the sake of others' interests or the calculations of near and far powers."

The Lebanese leader stated, "My duty is singular, clear, and explicit: to save this country and its people. This is what I will do with full national, humanitarian, and faith-based determination. I tell you with honesty and perseverance, this pain will not be our future forever."

"No agreement will be reached that sacrifices a single grain of the country's soil"

Underlining that Israel would not be able to obtain territory from Lebanon during the negotiation process, Aoun said, "I confirm that no agreement will be reached that touches upon our national rights, harms the dignity of our resilient people, or sacrifices a single grain of this country's soil. Our goal is clear: to stop Israeli aggression against our land and people, to ensure Israel's withdrawal, to extend the state's authority over the entire country solely through its own forces, to ensure the return of captives, and to guarantee that our people return to their homes and villages in safety, freedom, and dignity."

Aoun stated, "All Lebanese are in the same boat. Either we steer this boat with wisdom and reach a safe harbor, or we sink it and sink with it together. No one has the right to commit such a crime. Not under the pretext of a slogan, not out of a suicidal impulse, and not in the name of allegiance to anything other than Lebanon and its people."

"Those who have been displaced, you will return to your homes"

Addressing the Lebanese displaced by Israeli attacks, Aoun said, "You will return to your homes. Because those homes will be rebuilt with your presence. We are with you, we stand by you, and we will never let you down. To those who are resisting in their homes under threat, I say: your sacrifices will not be in vain. Your resistance will remain a trait we are proud of."

The Lebanese President concluded his statement as follows:

"To those who gamble with the future of Lebanon and the lives of the Lebanese, I say 'enough.' In Lebanon, only the state is the strongest, the most permanent, and the safest for everyone. I call out to the world: Lebanon will not break. Its people will not perish. Its right will prevail. We will build our future with our own will and the will of all Lebanese. Long live Lebanon, long live my people."

News Source: İHA