Subscribe Today
Request a Clip
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated in a February 28, 2029, interview with Alsharq News TV (Saudi Arabia) that the concept of sovereignty means decisions regarding war and peace, as well as the monopoly on bearing arms, belong solely to the state. He emphasized that Lebanon’s goal is for only the state to define the country’s strategic plans in national security, diplomacy, and the economy, and no one else. Aoun stressed that it is exclusively the role of the state to protect Lebanon from external threats. He said: "We are tired of war," and expressed hope for an end to military conflicts, wishing to resolve all issues through diplomatic efforts.
Joseph Aoun: "The notion of sovereignty means that decisions of war and peace are the prerogatives of the state, and that bearing arms is the monopoly of the state. If we all agree on this political principle, then nothing is difficult.
[...]
"The strategic goal of our national security is to make plans on how to use all of Lebanon's leverages of power in order to accomplish the state's main goals of building relations with other countries, or of defending the country from any developments or conflicts within the country or on its borders. I would like to talk a little more about the strategy of our national defense. It does not only protect our military activity, but also our economy. What is our economic strategy? What is our financial strategy? What is our strategy in terms of the media, in terms of diplomacy, and in terms of military action? Defensive strategy is a must, because you need to define the army's mission first of all. The defense strategy defines the mission of the army. Is the army's sole mission to maintain security? Is the army's mission only [to protect] the borders? Is it both? Once you define its mission, the army makes plans what equipment and how many men it needs, and how to plan against any domestic or foreign attack.
[...]
"Our goal is that only the state will be responsible [for this]. These are the duties of the state. Enough. Nobody by the state is allowed to fulfill this national duty. Nobody but the state is allowed to protect the land and the people. Nobody but the state is allowed to protect the land and the people. When there is an attack on Lebanon, the state will make the decision how to muster means of power in order to defend the country.
[...]
"We are tired of war. Diplomacy most certainly plays a role. The tools of policy are diplomacy, the economy, and the military. Right now, we are at the stage of diplomatic efforts, but if a military confrontation is inevitable, the decision will be made by the state. We hope to have an end to military confrontations, and to resolve all our problems through diplomatic efforts, but we soldiers always take into consideration the worst-case scenario. In the worst-case scenario of a military confrontation, it will be up to the state to make a decision about it."
Latest Clips
