NNA - In his inaugural speech, President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, on Thursday expressed profound gratitude for the honor of being elected, calling it "the greatest medal" he could receive from the Lebanese parliament.  

Reflecting on Lebanon’s enduring history, Aoun emphasized the nation’s resilience and unity. 

"Lebanon is as old as history itself. Our strength lies in our courage and our ability to adapt. No matter our differences, in times of crisis, we embrace one another. If one of us falls, we all fall,” the newly elected President said. 

Aoun further acknowledged the need for change in Lebanon's political system. 

"We must change the political performance in Lebanon. My mandate begins today, and I pledge to serve all Lebanese, wherever they are, as the first servant of the country, upholding the national pact and practicing the full powers of the presidency as an impartial mediator between institutions."

President Aoun went on to underscore the importance of legal and judicial reform.

"If we want to build a nation, we must all be under the rule of law and the judiciary,” he said. 

“Interference in the judiciary is forbidden, and there will be no immunity for criminals or corrupt individuals. There is no place for mafias, drug trafficking, or money laundering in Lebanon,” the President concluded. 

===========R.H.