At the Arab summit chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President Joseph Aoun delivered a speech steeped in history, conviction and commitment to the Palestinian cause.
President Aoun recalled his political and military career, emphasizing the lessons his country has taught him over decades of conflict and struggle.
Lebanon and Palestine: A Common Cause, a Universal Struggle
“Lebanon taught me that the Palestinian cause is legitimate,” he declared at the outset, highlighting the importance of the balance of power in imposing the law. In his view, real power lies not only in military confrontation but also in mobilizing public opinion and maintaining regional strategic balances.
The president of the Republic stressed that the Palestinian cause is a convergence of Palestinian, Arab and universal human rights. He warned against any attempt to reduce this struggle to a sectarian or partisan one, which would risk bogging it down in power struggles and compromising its fundamental essence.
Arab Unity as a Pillar of Resistance
Recalling the impact of wars on Lebanese soil, the head of state insisted on the obligation of Arab nations to remain united and strong in the face of common challenges. “When Beirut is occupied, when Damascus is destroyed, when Amman is threatened, when Baghdad suffers, or when Sana’a collapses, no one can claim that this serves the Palestinian cause,” he warned.
The message is clear: Palestine’s strength depends on the stability and sovereignty of the Arab nations. To this end, Aoun called for prosperity, development and regional cooperation rather than isolation and division.
A Battle Linked to International Legitimacy
President Aoun also reaffirmed the importance of international law and the United Nations’ role in protecting the rights of oppressed peoples. He recalled that Lebanon, like Palestine, still suffers from Israeli occupation and repeated violations of its sovereignty.
“There can be no peace without the liberation of the last piece of our territory, whose borders are internationally recognized. There can be no peace without a Palestinian state and the restoration of all the Palestinians’ legitimate rights,” he insisted, referring to the 2002 Arab peace initiative and the commitments made at the Riyadh summit last November.
Lebanon, a Lesson in Resilience
On a final note, President Aoun insisted that Lebanon must no longer be a battleground for foreign wars, nor a territory of influence for outside powers.
“Lebanon has learned to refuse any form of occupation, tutelage or hegemony. It has understood that its role in the region is to be a meeting place, not a stage for conflict,” he asserted, reiterating his commitment to restoring the country's sovereignty and independence.
He concluded with a call for closer ties between Lebanon and its Arab partners.
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