NNA - President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, on Tuesday stressed that "Lebanon is continuing its diplomatic contacts with America and France to complete the Israeli withdrawal from the remaining territories it occupied in the last war," adding that "the Lebanese decision is unified in adopting the diplomatic option, because no one wants war, but the state."

President Aoun's words came during his reception at Baabda Palace of a delegation from the "Press Club" headed by Bassam Abou Zeid. 

In response to a question, President Aoun stressed that "there is no siege on the Shiite sect as some are claiming, and the measures taken against Iranian airlines are linked to the sanctions imposed on them." "The Shiite sect is an essential part of the Lebanese society and is not foreign to it," the President stressed.

In response to another question, Aoun explained that "the reconstruction process will not happen overnight, and it is linked in one way or another to reforms and fighting corruption." "It is necessary to rebuild the bridge of trust between the Lebanese," he said, rejecting that anyone be empowered by the outside.

The Head of State also emphasized that "we must approach developments calmly, without tension or accusations of treason. The Lebanese are tired of living between barricades after paying a heavy price." He said, "The state has become responsible for controlling security and borders after it regained its decision, which is the decision of the Lebanese alone."

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