Consensus on reaffirming Lebanon’s role as a “beacon of peace and coexistence”.. Israel continues its airstrikes in the south and demolishes a school complex

Beirut – Mansour Shaaban:

President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun congratulated the Lebanese people in general and Muslims in particular on the occasion of the blessed birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He stated, “The commemoration of the Prophet’s birthday comes this year as Lebanon faces serious challenges, including repeated Israeli violations of its sovereignty, land, and people in the south and other areas, alongside economic and living crises that continue to burden its citizens. However, this unifying spiritual milestone reminds us that the foundations built on values of fraternity, tolerance, and coexistence are precisely the same values that have always constituted the bedrock of Lebanese national consensus and the charter of shared living among its diverse components.”

Aoun called on the Lebanese to “draw lessons from the Prophetic teachings on patience, steadfastness, and unity in the face of the aggression and targeting our homeland is enduring, and in the journey of rebuilding a strong, just state capable of protecting all its citizens without discrimination.”

For his part, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri congratulated the Lebanese people in general and Muslims in particular, saying, “May the blessed birthday of the Prophet, like every other religious and spiritual occasion, serve as a daily station for emulation and action based on all its values and teachings, which were established solely for the sake of justice and the preservation of human dignity. In doing so, we will be the best nation ever raised for mankind.”

On this blessed occasion, positions converged on calling for all in Lebanon to adhere to the message of peace, tolerance, and shared living that has long distinguished the country, and to counter all attempts to divert it from its mission and its role as a beacon of peace, knowledge, and progress.

This came as the Israeli army carried out clearing and destruction operations at the western edges of “Ma’s al-Jabal” in the Dubayyah area. Its military bulldozers demolished a temporary school complex built and inaugurated by the municipality after the last war, in cooperation with the South Governorate Council and the Jabal Amal Municipalities Union.

Simultaneously, the Israeli army deployed a truck loaded with explosives to demolish homes and carried out a large-scale explosion in the town of Tiba in the Marjayoun district, as well as in Kafr Kanna and Yahmar al-Shaqif. The echoes of these massive explosions were strongly felt across various southern areas, not to mention Israeli clearing of the central area, “Al-Khalah,” located between the towns of Haddatha and Harisa, along with the burning of homes in several villages in southern Lebanon.

These developments were not absent from meetings held by President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace to anticipate the nature of the upcoming phase, particularly following his return from his visit to Rome and his meetings with the Pope of the Vatican, his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

According to the Lebanese Presidency, President Aoun reviewed with his guests at Baabda the events of his recent visit to Rome, including discussions regarding the “Framework Agreement,” and how these talks could contribute to advancing understandings and efforts aimed at consolidating stability in Lebanon.

In this context, MP Ghassan Hasbani, after meeting with President Aoun, affirmed that “the legitimate state is the only entity that represents the Lebanese people in all forums, and no legitimacy exists for any party speaking on behalf of Lebanon from outside it.” He stressed that “the President of the Republic plays an active role in strengthening the state’s power internally and externally.”

For his part, former President of the Republic General Michel Suleiman stated in a comment that “attention is directed to Ali al-Tahir’s hill and to Hezbollah, which is participating in the government, to prove that its loyalty is to Lebanon only, first and foremost, through the government and the Council of Ministers, and to affirm its trust in institutions. Therefore, it must preempt settlements and declare its intention to hand over the facilities under the hill to the Lebanese Army, which has repeatedly stated that it trusts it,” expressing his hope that “this opportunity will not be wasted as previous ones were.”

Notably, the Government Palace issued a statement from the media office of Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam, reiterating his insistence that he “does not rely on the approach of leaks or statements attributed to (sources), and that every position or statement issued by the President of the Republic or his office is announced directly and officially.”