"A new phase in Lebanese history": Lebanese President Joseph Aoun gives maiden speech

Joseph Aoun, former head of the Lebanese Army and new President of Lebanon, gave a maiden speech today (Thursday) before the Lebanese Parliament, outlining his view of the country and the challenges it faces, according to Kann reporter Roi Kais.

Aoun began by saying "I have had the honor to be elected President, my election as President is the great medal I have received and the greatest responsibility. This is an era of an earthquake in the Middle East, in which alliances change and regimes fall - but Lebanon is still alive and strong."

The new President said this is the case "despite the wars and the explosions and the interventions and the aggression," but that Lebanon "stood together...despite all the disagreements, we will continue to be together because when one of us breaks, we all break."

He then went on to describing Lebanon's challenges, saying that "we are in a governmental, economic, political, and social crisis and we face many challenges in all areas. Today, a new stage has begun in Lebanon's history. After I swear allegiance, I will work for the supreme national interest and faithfully fulfill my role as President of the state."

He then addressed the fraught issue of demilitarization and disarming non-state forces: "The Lebanese state must act regarding the limitation of bearing arms, with the Lebanese Army being the one to protect the state from terrorism, protect its borders, and maintain international agreements including the ceasefire agreement - and prevent Israeli aggression on Lebanese lands."

Aoun ended by saying that "strengthening the army is what will allow the Lebanese state - and I repeat - the Lebanese state, to end the Israeli occupation and the repulse of aggression on Lebanese lands," a comment which received a standing ovation.

Earlier today, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed Aoun's election in a post on X.