Baabda Palace witnessed a series of political, ministerial and diplomatic meetings, topped by the positions of the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, in which he stressed the importance of national unity and adherence to state institutions, warning of internal divisions, and stressing that “if the country falls, no one will survive.”
During his reception of the Supreme Committee to follow up on the decisions and recommendations of the Bekaa Forum “Development and Belonging,” headed by the Mufti of Zahle and the Bekaa, Sheikh Dr. Ali Al-Ghazawi, Aoun confirmed his follow-up to the demands of the Bekaa, especially the Beirut-Bekaa Road, the Lebanese University, and environmental and development files.
He also praised the positions of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on the anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr, especially in terms of adhering to the Taif Agreement and preserving the military institution and civil peace.
Regarding the southern file, Aoun stressed that the priorities are liberating the land, returning prisoners, reconstruction, and the return of the displaced, stressing that the war option “will only lead to more tragedies and devastation,” and that negotiation remains the approved path to reach a complete ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.
For its part, the Bekaa delegation presented a number of demands, most notably the Beirut-Bekaa Tunnel, completing the Arab Highway, addressing pollution, and supporting hospitals and the Lebanese University.
Ministerially, Aoun discussed with Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar the security situation and the preparatory conference in Paris to support the army and internal security forces, in addition to the conditions of the municipalities of the south.
He also discussed with Foreign Minister Youssef Raji the future of UNIFIL in the south as its operational mandate approaches the end of the year.
Diplomatically, Aoun met with the Lebanese Ambassador to Romania, Ali Al-Saleh, and the Honorary Consul of Costa Rica, Joseph Raidy, while he sent a cable of condolence to the President of Nepal for the victims of the floods that struck the country.
