Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai hailed President Joseph Aoun for strongly emphasizing the state’s “exclusivity of bearing arms, investing in the Lebanese Army and adopting positive neutrality.”
In the inauguration address of the first Sunday sermon after Joseph Aoun’s election, Rai said that Aoun outlined a new national strategy based on the Taif Accord and the Constitution.
Rai noted that in addition to advocating for a comprehensive defense strategy, “diplomatically, economically and militarily,” the President underlined reform ideas to energize the work of security institutions in order to reinforce security and manage the borders.
The Patriach highlighted Aoun’s pledge to remedy political performance and strengthen the rule of law. He added that “there will be no immunity for the corrupt or criminal, but rather combating drug trafficking and money laundering.”
Rai also applauded Aoun’s determination to have Palestinian refugee camps under state control, saying, “President Aoun stressed his refusal to resettle Palestinians in Lebanon and his resolve to assume responsibility for the security of the refugee camps.”
He also thanked God for “inspiring MPs to elect General Joseph Aoun as President of the Republic” after more than two years of vacancy in the post.
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