Aoun: Negotiation Does Not Mean Surrender, and Those Promoting War Have Been Exposed

Lebanese President Michel Aoun affirmed during his reception today, Wednesday, at Baabda Palace of the new board of the Lebanese Cultural University in the World, "We are working through negotiation to establish security and stability, especially in the south, and negotiation does not mean surrender."

He pointed out, "As President of the Republic, I will take any path that leads me to Lebanon's interest. The important thing is to remove the specter of war, rebuild, keep people on their land, revive Lebanon economically, and develop its state."

Aoun stressed "the necessity of the diaspora conveying the true image of Lebanon abroad, because unfortunately, some Lebanese there portray a negative image," considering that "those promoting war have had their game exposed because there are those who live off the same war to hold elections based on it," reassuring that "the situation in Lebanon is good and the Pope's visit had a positive impact."

At the beginning of the meeting, the former president of the university, Abbas Fawaz, spoke, affirming the university's faith in the state and Lebanon, noting that "the Lebanese diaspora lives a bitter longing for their country and supports the President of the Republic and the rebuilding of the state and its institutions, a state of justice, fairness, and strength that protects all citizens so Lebanon can be a permanent country for all its children."

Aoun was briefed on the atmosphere of the conference held by the university on the twelfth of this month, attended by representatives from six continents, during which Ibrahim Constantine was elected the new global president of the university with 90% of the delegates' votes.

Then Constantine delivered a speech thanking Aoun for his patronage of the university and his deep belief in the role of the Lebanese diaspora and its ability to help the homeland and enhance its presence worldwide.

He confirmed that "the diaspora is doing well, and the university is united, legitimate, and represents the Lebanese diaspora as a whole, away from politics, sectarianism, and racism."

For his part, Aoun affirmed "the diaspora's right to participate in political decision-making through elections," hoping that the ongoing conflicts would not affect the diaspora's reality, calling on it to maintain its elevation above sectarian and religious matters.

Aoun reassured the delegation about the current situation, noting that "Pope Leo XIV's visit had a positive impact, the security situation is excellent, and economic indicators are good, with the diaspora playing a fundamental role in this."

He pointed out that "despite this, some speak negatively about Lebanon and incite war there. He wondered how these people think about their country while we seek to move it to a new phase, calling not to be influenced by rumors and anything harmful to the country."

Aoun stressed the diaspora's responsibility in the country's revival, affirming that "the Lebanese people's faith in their country grows in light of what the diaspora represents on all levels."

In response to a question, he said: "We are working through negotiation to establish security and stability, especially in the south where Israeli attacks continue from time to time, and this negotiation does not mean surrender. We rely on the positions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump and his interest in the peace issue, and we do what we must in this direction. In this context, he stressed the necessity of conveying the true image of Lebanon abroad because unfortunately, some Lebanese there portray a negative image."

Aoun noted that "Lebanon is being rebuilt and is returning to recovery and cannot go to war. As President of the Republic, I will take any path that leads me to Lebanon's interest. The important thing is to remove the specter of war, rebuild, keep people on their land, revive Lebanon economically, and develop its state. This is my goal, and if anyone has a problem with this goal, let them tell me."

He stressed "the necessity for Lebanese to be with Lebanon, not with a person," considering that "those promoting war have had their game exposed because some live off the same war to hold elections based on it," asking: "Is it permissible for some to distort the true image, spread rumors, scare the Lebanese, and call for war for their electoral interest while we must hold on to our good sense and national responsibility in this delicate circumstance we are going through?"