Lebanese leaders emphasize state sovereignty and institutional trust

Lebanese officials have emphasized the importance of state institutions and sovereignty amidst regional instability. During a ceremony for a new housing project for Lebanese Armed Forces personnel in Mardaše, Baabda, Joseph Aoun stated that the army serves as the foundation of the nation and that public trust is the military’s “most important weapon.”

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam outlined a vision for national recovery based on rebuilding trust, restoring decision-making power, and liberating land. He stressed that true trust must be rooted in institutions that protect rights, a judiciary that ensures justice, and an economy that provides prosperity. Salam noted that healing from the Beirut port explosion requires truth, justice, and accountability.

Regarding regional conflicts and negotiations with Israel, Salam maintained that only the Lebanese state, through its constitutional institutions, has the authority to speak or negotiate for the country. He asserted that Lebanon should not become a battlefield for others' conflicts or a bargaining chip in negotiations conducted in its absence.