Aoun: There’s No Justification for Targeting Innocents… and Confronting Terrorism Begins with Thought

Lebanon Today

On October 28, 2025, President General Joseph Aoun inaugurated the regional conference on international judicial cooperation in combating terrorism, challenges, and prospects for action on foreign fighters belonging to extremist groups, at the Fouad Shehab College of Command and Staff.

In his speech to the attendees, President Aoun stressed the crucial importance of developing a clear and specific definition of this phenomenon, noting that “terrorism is unjustified and illegitimate physical or moral violence against innocent civilians, used as a means of intimidation and extracting unwarranted demands.”

His Excellency insisted that “there is absolutely no justification for targeting innocent people, and no injustice, oppression, or extremist thought can legitimize these acts.”

President Aoun also clarified that “combating this danger requires knowing its motives and roots,” pointing to two main patterns: the first is carried out by limited individuals, and requires cooperation in information and analysis, benefiting from the development of communications, digitization, and artificial intelligence;

and the second is an organizational, cross-border one with extremist ideological motives, which is the most dangerous because it is more expansive and determined, especially when it is associated with misleading religious interpretations.”

His Excellency indicated that “confronting this type is not limited to security and judicial aspects, but requires an intellectual and spiritual role by religious and community references to isolate the idea before cutting off the finger that pulls the trigger,” calling for no complacency in this collective duty.

Aoun stated: “The convening of the conference in Lebanon is due to the fact that it is a committed country, state and society, to making every possible effort to confront extremism, and this has been embodied in field achievements through the army and security forces that triumphed over terrorism militarily, security-wise, and culturally,” stressing that Lebanon’s environment based on diversity, freedom, and dialogue does not embrace extremism.

His Excellency also pointed out that “terrorism has become globalized, which requires globalizing its fight by strengthening judicial, security, and informational cooperation, handing over wanted persons, and implementing judgments, especially in the face of threats such as cyber and biological terrorism.”

Aoun concluded his speech by affirming that Lebanon is a country of peace and love, expressing his thanks to the organizers and participants, and wishing a free and dignified life in peace and love for all humanity.